Laketown Canyon: Phosphorite Rockhounding in Rich County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Laketown Canyon 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
Postcode: 84038
Coordinates: 41.81370, -111.31191

Geology at Laketown Canyon

This spot sits on ground mapped as Side-stream alluvium and fan deposits that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Side-stream alluvium and fan deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Elevation: 6,100 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 Laketown Canyon

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 30°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 13°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LAKETOWN station (1 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 Laketown Canyon

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 Laketown Canyon.

Across the state line from Laketown Canyon

Laketown Canyon 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.

Laketown Canyon FAQ

Where is Laketown Canyon?+

Laketown Canyon is in Rich County, Utah, at 41.81370, -111.31191.

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

Laketown Canyon is reported to produce Phosphorite.

Is collecting allowed at Laketown 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 Laketown 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 Laketown Canyon?+

The most comfortable months at Laketown Canyon are April to October.

How do I get to Laketown Canyon?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.81370, -111.31191 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Laketown Canyon on the map

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