Big Cottonwood Canyon: Azurite & Malachite Rockhounding in Salt Lake County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Big Cottonwood Canyon is a mapped rockhounding spot in Salt Lake County, Utah. Reported finds include azurite, malachite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Salt Lake County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Middle Loop
Coordinates: 40.64046, -111.63290

Geology at Big Cottonwood Canyon

This spot sits on ground mapped as Till of Pinedale age 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: Till of Pinedale age
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene)
Elevation: 7,430 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 Big Cottonwood Canyon

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F. At about 7,430 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ALTA station (3 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 Big Cottonwood Canyon

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

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Big Cottonwood Canyon FAQ

Where is Big Cottonwood Canyon?+

Big Cottonwood Canyon is in Salt Lake County, Utah, at 40.64046, -111.63290. Nearest road: Middle Loop.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Big Cottonwood Canyon?+

Big Cottonwood Canyon is reported to produce Azurite, Malachite.

Is collecting allowed at Big Cottonwood 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 Big Cottonwood Canyon?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses are enough for oxidized copper ground. Look for green and blue staining on weathered rock and in old dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Big Cottonwood Canyon?+

The most comfortable months at Big Cottonwood Canyon are April to October. At about 7,430 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Big Cottonwood Canyon?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.64046, -111.63290 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Middle Loop.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Big Cottonwood Canyon on the map

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