Castle Dale: Fossil Hunting in Emery County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Castle Dale is a mapped rockhounding spot in Emery County, Utah. Reported finds include agate, agatized dinosaur bone, petrified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Emery County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Cedar Hollow Trail
Coordinates: 39.22744, -110.88663

Geology at Castle Dale

This spot sits on Alluvium and colluvium, mapped as unconsolidated alluvium and colluvium that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Reworked sediments like these can carry fossils eroded from older beds upstream, typically as rolled bone fragments, teeth, and shell material.

Mapped unit: Alluvium and colluvium
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: unconsolidated alluvium and colluvium
Elevation: 5,550 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 Castle Dale

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 41°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 10°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CASTLE DALE station (7 mi away).

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 Castle Dale

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 Castle Dale.

Castle Dale FAQ

Where is Castle Dale?+

Castle Dale is in Emery County, Utah, at 39.22744, -110.88663. Nearest road: Cedar Hollow Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Castle Dale?+

Castle Dale is reported to produce Agate, Agatized Dinosaur Bone, Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Castle Dale?+

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 Castle Dale?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Castle Dale?+

The most comfortable months at Castle Dale are February to June.

How do I get to Castle Dale?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.22744, -110.88663 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Cedar Hollow Trail.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Castle Dale on the map

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