Paria River: Gold Prospecting in Kane County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Paria River is a mapped rockhounding spot in Kane County, Utah. Reported finds include gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Kane County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Cottonwood Canyon Road
Postcode: 84718
Coordinates: 37.52976, -112.04377

Geology at Paria River

This spot sits on Stream alluvium, mapped as clay to boulder sized clasts that formed within roughly the last 12,000 years. Stream-worked gravels like these are where placer gold tends to concentrate, settling toward bedrock, inside gravel bars, and behind boulders.

Mapped unit: Stream alluvium
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Rock types: clay to boulder sized clasts
Elevation: 5,690 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 Paria River

Best months: August to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 45°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 16°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, KODACHROME BASIN PARK 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 Paria River

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Gold Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Paria River.

Paria River FAQ

Where is Paria River?+

Paria River is in Kane County, Utah, at 37.52976, -112.04377. Nearest road: Cottonwood Canyon Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Paria River?+

Paria River is reported to produce Gold.

Is collecting allowed at Paria River?+

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 Paria River?+

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 Paria River?+

The most comfortable months at Paria River are August to June.

How do I get to Paria River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.52976, -112.04377 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Cottonwood Canyon Road.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Paria River on the map

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