Raft River Mountains: Gold Prospecting in Box Elder County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Raft River Mountains is a mapped rockhounding spot in Box Elder County, Utah. Reported finds include gold, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, pyrite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Box Elder County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 41.87416, -113.50850

Geology at Raft River Mountains

This spot sits on Schist of Stevens Spring, Quartzite of Yost, Schist of Upper Narrows, and Elba Quartzite, mapped as schist that formed roughly 1600 to 540 million years ago. Gold in metamorphic belts like this is typically tied to quartz veins and shear zones, with placer color in the creeks that cut them.

Mapped unit: Schist of Stevens Spring, Quartzite of Yost, Schist of Upper Narrows, and Elba Quartzite
Age: 1600–540 Ma (Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic)
Rock types: schist
Elevation: 8,430 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 Raft River Mountains

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 76°F in midsummer and 25°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F. At about 8,430 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ROSETTE station (6 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

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 Raft River Mountains

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 Raft River Mountains.

Across the state line from Raft River Mountains

Raft River Mountains 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.

Raft River Mountains FAQ

Where is Raft River Mountains?+

Raft River Mountains is in Box Elder County, Utah, at 41.87416, -113.50850.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Raft River Mountains?+

Raft River Mountains is reported to produce Gold, Arsenopyrite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Pyrite, Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at Raft River Mountains?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Raft River Mountains?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Raft River Mountains?+

The most comfortable months at Raft River Mountains are April to October. At about 8,430 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Raft River Mountains?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.87416, -113.50850 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

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