Bear Gulch: Gold Prospecting in Salt Lake County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Bear Gulch is a mapped rockhounding spot in Salt Lake County, Utah. Reported finds include gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Salt Lake County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Left Hand Fork Road
Coordinates: 40.47794, -112.15728

Geology at Bear Gulch

This spot sits on Oquirrh Group, including Bridal Veil Limestone, mapped as sandstone that formed roughly 325 to 275 million years ago. In sedimentary country like this, any placer gold is typically recycled from older gravels, concentrating again in modern stream beds.

Mapped unit: Oquirrh Group, including Bridal Veil Limestone
Age: 325–275 Ma (Pennsylvanian to Cisuralian)
Rock types: sandstone
Elevation: 7,020 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 Bear Gulch

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 31°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 13°F. At about 7,020 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TOOELE station (10 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 Bear Gulch

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 Bear Gulch.

Bear Gulch FAQ

Where is Bear Gulch?+

Bear Gulch is in Salt Lake County, Utah, at 40.47794, -112.15728. Nearest road: Left Hand Fork Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Bear Gulch?+

Bear Gulch is reported to produce Gold.

Is collecting allowed at Bear Gulch?+

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 Bear Gulch?+

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 Bear Gulch?+

The most comfortable months at Bear Gulch are March to October. At about 7,020 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Bear Gulch?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.47794, -112.15728 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Left Hand Fork Road.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Bear Gulch on the map

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