Cedar Canyon: Anhydrite & Carnotite Rockhounding in Iron County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Cedar Canyon is a mapped rockhounding spot in Iron County, Utah. Reported finds include anhydrite, carnotite, gypsum, selenite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Iron County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Cedar Canyon Road
Coordinates: 37.59448, -112.91236

Geology at Cedar Canyon

This spot sits on Young stream alluvium, mapped as clay to boulder sized clasts that formed within roughly the last 12,000 years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Young stream alluvium
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Rock types: clay to boulder sized clasts
Elevation: 8,310 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 Cedar Canyon

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 76°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F. At about 8,310 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BLOWHARD MTN RADAR station (3 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 Cedar Canyon

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 Cedar Canyon.

Cedar Canyon FAQ

Where is Cedar Canyon?+

Cedar Canyon is in Iron County, Utah, at 37.59448, -112.91236. Nearest road: Cedar Canyon Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Cedar Canyon?+

Cedar Canyon is reported to produce Anhydrite, Carnotite, Gypsum, Selenite.

Is collecting allowed at Cedar Canyon?+

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 Cedar Canyon?+

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 Cedar Canyon?+

The most comfortable months at Cedar Canyon are April to November. At about 8,310 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Cedar Canyon?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.59448, -112.91236 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Cedar Canyon Road.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 246 Utah spots →

Open Cedar Canyon on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.