Dry Lake Wash: Pyrolusite Rockhounding in Emery County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Dry Lake Wash is a mapped rockhounding spot in Emery County, Utah. Reported finds include pyrolusite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Emery County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 38.82403, -110.12588

Geology at Dry Lake Wash

This spot sits on ground mapped as Stream alluvium that formed within roughly the last 129,000 years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Stream alluvium
Age: < 1 Ma (Late Pleistocene to Holocene)
Elevation: 4,020 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 Dry Lake Wash

Best months: February to May. Typical highs run 98°F in midsummer and 41°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MOAB CANYONLAND AP station (20 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 Dry Lake Wash

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

Pyrolusite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Dry Lake Wash.

Dry Lake Wash FAQ

Where is Dry Lake Wash?+

Dry Lake Wash is in Emery County, Utah, at 38.82403, -110.12588.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Dry Lake Wash?+

Dry Lake Wash is reported to produce Pyrolusite.

Is collecting allowed at Dry Lake Wash?+

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 Dry Lake Wash?+

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 Dry Lake Wash?+

The most comfortable months at Dry Lake Wash are February to May. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

How do I get to Dry Lake Wash?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.82403, -110.12588 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Dry Lake Wash on the map

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