Modena: Gold Prospecting in Iron County, Utah

Updated July 2026

Modena is a mapped rockhounding spot in Iron County, Utah. Reported finds include argentite, gold, limonite, pyrite, fluorite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Iron County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Gold Springs Road
Coordinates: 37.88287, -114.03791

Geology at Modena

This spot sits on Isom Fm, Needles Range Fm, Escalante Desert Fm, Sawtooth Peak Fm, and Tunnel Springs Tuff, mapped as felsic volcanic and mafic volcanic that formed roughly 38 to 23 million years ago. Gold in volcanic terrain like this is usually tied to old vein systems and the gravels that drain them, so nearby washes tend to carry the color.

Mapped unit: Isom Fm, Needles Range Fm, Escalante Desert Fm, Sawtooth Peak Fm, and Tunnel Springs Tuff
Age: 38–23 Ma (Late Eocene to Oligocene)
Rock types: felsic volcanic and mafic volcanic
Elevation: 6,550 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 Modena

Best months: February to November. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 41°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 14°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MODENA station (8 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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 Modena

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 Modena.

Across the state line from Modena

Modena is close enough to the Utah border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Modena FAQ

Where is Modena?+

Modena is in Iron County, Utah, at 37.88287, -114.03791. Nearest road: Gold Springs Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Modena?+

Modena is reported to produce Argentite, Gold, Limonite, Pyrite, Fluorite, Garnet, Quartz, Selenium.

Is collecting allowed at Modena?+

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 Modena?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Modena?+

The most comfortable months at Modena are February to November.

How do I get to Modena?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.88287, -114.03791 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Gold Springs Road.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 246 Utah spots →

Open Modena on the map

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