Crawford Mountains: Phosphorite Rockhounding in Rich County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Crawford Mountains is a mapped rockhounding spot in Rich County, Utah. Reported finds include phosphorite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Rich County
State: Utah
Nearest road: East River Lane
Coordinates: 41.68139, -111.07280

Geology at Crawford Mountains

This spot sits on ground mapped as Artificial fill that formed within roughly the last 12,000 years. Fresh exposures, cuts, and drainages are typically the most productive places to look on ground like this.

Mapped unit: Artificial fill
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Elevation: 7,190 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 Crawford Mountains

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 78°F in midsummer and 24°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 1°F. At about 7,190 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, RANDOLPH station (6 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 Crawford Mountains

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

Phosphorite

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Crawford Mountains.

Across the state line from Crawford Mountains

Crawford Mountains 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.

Crawford Mountains FAQ

Where is Crawford Mountains?+

Crawford Mountains is in Rich County, Utah, at 41.68139, -111.07280. Nearest road: East River Lane.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Crawford Mountains?+

Crawford Mountains is reported to produce Phosphorite.

Is collecting allowed at Crawford Mountains?+

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 Crawford Mountains?+

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 Crawford Mountains?+

The most comfortable months at Crawford Mountains are April to October. At about 7,190 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Crawford Mountains?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.68139, -111.07280 in Google Maps. The nearest road is East River Lane.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Crawford Mountains on the map

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