Courthouse Wash: Barite & Calcite Rockhounding in Grand County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Courthouse Wash is a mapped rockhounding spot in Grand County, Utah. Reported finds include barite, calcite, limonite, pyrolusite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Grand County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 38.65719, -109.63502

Geology at Courthouse Wash

This spot sits on ground mapped as Slick Rock Member of Entrada Sandstone that formed roughly 175 to 160 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: Slick Rock Member of Entrada Sandstone
Age: 175–160 Ma (Middle Jurassic)
Elevation: 4,230 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 Courthouse Wash

Best months: February to May. Typical highs run 98°F in midsummer and 41°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ARCHES NP HQS station (3 mi away).

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 Courthouse Wash

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 Courthouse Wash.

Courthouse Wash FAQ

Where is Courthouse Wash?+

Courthouse Wash is in Grand County, Utah, at 38.65719, -109.63502.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Courthouse Wash?+

Courthouse Wash is reported to produce Barite, Calcite, Limonite, Pyrolusite.

Is collecting allowed at Courthouse Wash?+

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 Courthouse Wash?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Courthouse Wash?+

The most comfortable months at Courthouse Wash are February to May. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Courthouse Wash?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.65719, -109.63502 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Courthouse Wash on the map

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