Uinta Mountains: Apatite & Collophane Rockhounding in Duchesne County, Utah

Updated July 2026

Uinta Mountains is a mapped rockhounding spot in Duchesne County, Utah. Reported finds include apatite, collophane, fluorapatite, francolite, phosphorite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Duchesne County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 40.59749, -110.14035

Geology at Uinta Mountains

This spot sits on Till of Pinedale age, mapped as boulder till that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Till of Pinedale age
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene)
Rock types: boulder till
Elevation: 8,300 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 Uinta Mountains

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 22°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 1°F. At about 8,300 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, NEOLA station (13 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 Uinta 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 Uinta Mountains.

Across the state line from Uinta Mountains

Uinta 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.

Uinta Mountains FAQ

Where is Uinta Mountains?+

Uinta Mountains is in Duchesne County, Utah, at 40.59749, -110.14035.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Uinta Mountains?+

Uinta Mountains is reported to produce Apatite, Collophane, Fluorapatite, Francolite, Phosphorite.

Is collecting allowed at Uinta Mountains?+

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 Uinta Mountains?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Uinta Mountains?+

The most comfortable months at Uinta Mountains are April to October. At about 8,300 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Uinta Mountains?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.59749, -110.14035 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 246 Utah spots →

Open Uinta Mountains on the map

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