Crater Island: Bornite & Calcite Rockhounding in Box Elder County, Utah

Updated July 2026

Crater Island is a mapped rockhounding spot in Box Elder County, Utah. Reported finds include bornite, calcite, chalcopyrite, chrysocolla. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Box Elder County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 41.08802, -113.77005

Geology at Crater Island

This spot sits on Arcturus Formation, mapped as sandstone that formed roughly 300 to 275 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Arcturus Formation
Age: 300–275 Ma (Cisuralian)
Rock types: sandstone
Elevation: 5,360 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Crater Island

Best months: March to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 34°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 11°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WENDOVER 16NW station (22 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

BLM Utah — Rockhounding overview
Utah Geological Survey — collecting guidelines
SITLA — surface use rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Crater Island

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Crater Island.

Across the state line from Crater Island

Crater Island is close enough to the Utah border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Crater Island FAQ

Where is Crater Island?+

Crater Island is in Box Elder County, Utah, at 41.08802, -113.77005.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Crater Island?+

Crater Island is reported to produce Bornite, Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla.

Is collecting allowed at Crater Island?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Crater Island?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses are enough for oxidized copper ground. Look for green and blue staining on weathered rock and in old dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Crater Island?+

The most comfortable months at Crater Island are March to June.

How do I get to Crater Island?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.08802, -113.77005 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 246 Utah spots →

Open Crater Island on the map

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