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

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Grand County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 38.77142, -109.93100

Geology at Tenmile 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: 4,390 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 Tenmile Wash

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 97°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 18°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 (9 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 Tenmile 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 Tenmile Wash.

Tenmile Wash FAQ

Where is Tenmile Wash?+

Tenmile Wash is in Grand County, Utah, at 38.77142, -109.93100.

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

Tenmile Wash is reported to produce Barite, Calcite, Pyrolusite.

Is collecting allowed at Tenmile 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 Tenmile 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 Tenmile Wash?+

The most comfortable months at Tenmile Wash 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 Tenmile Wash?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.77142, -109.93100 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Tenmile Wash on the map

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