Best spot

Black Rock: Snowflake Obsidian Rockhounding in Millard County, Utah

Q: Where is Black Rock?

Black Rock is in Millard County, Utah, at 38.71904, -112.98712.

Q: What rocks and minerals can you find at Black Rock?

Black Rock is reported to produce Snowflake Obsidian.

Q: Is collecting allowed at Black Rock?

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.

Q: What tools should I bring to Black Rock?

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.

Q: When is the best time to visit Black Rock?

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

Q: How do I get to Black Rock?

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.71904, -112.98712 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

Updated June 2026

Black Rock is Utah's standout obsidian stop, with black, reddish-brown, and snowflake obsidian weathering from young rhyolitic volcanic rocks in the Black Rock Desert. UGS places the Black Spring collecting area on BLM public land and ties the glass to eruptions that also produced rhyolite and pumice in western Millard County. Reported finds include snowflake obsidian. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Black Rock photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

3 photos

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Millard County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 38.71904, -112.98712

Geology at Black Rock

This spot sits on ground mapped as Alluvium, late Holocene 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: Alluvium, late Holocene
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Elevation: 4,860 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 Black Rock

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 95°F in midsummer and 42°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 16°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, BLACK ROCK station (2 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 Black Rock

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

Snowflake Obsidian Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Black Rock.

Across the state line from Black Rock

Black Rock 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.

Snake RangeWhite Pine County, Nevada · 68 mi awaySilver, Tungsten

Black Rock FAQ

Where is Black Rock?+

Black Rock is in Millard County, Utah, at 38.71904, -112.98712.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Black Rock?+

Black Rock is reported to produce Snowflake Obsidian.

Is collecting allowed at Black Rock?+

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 Black Rock?+

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 Black Rock?+

The most comfortable months at Black Rock 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 Black Rock?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.71904, -112.98712 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 246 Utah spots →

Open Black Rock on the map

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