Little Valley: Limonite & Pyrolusite Rockhounding in Grand County, Utah

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Grand County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Jurassic Trail
Coordinates: 38.78205, -109.73001

Geology at Little Valley

This spot sits on ground mapped as Mixed eolian and alluvial deposits that formed within roughly the last 774,000 years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Mixed eolian and alluvial deposits
Age: < 1 Ma (Middle Pleistocene to Holocene)
Elevation: 4,610 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 Little Valley

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 96°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 17°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, MOAB CANYONLAND AP station (3 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 Little Valley

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 Little Valley.

Little Valley FAQ

Where is Little Valley?+

Little Valley is in Grand County, Utah, at 38.78205, -109.73001. Nearest road: Jurassic Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Little Valley?+

Little Valley is reported to produce Limonite, Pyrolusite.

Is collecting allowed at Little Valley?+

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 Little Valley?+

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 Little Valley?+

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

How do I get to Little Valley?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.78205, -109.73001 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Jurassic Trail.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Little Valley on the map

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