Browns Hole: Carnotite Rockhounding in San Juan County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Browns Hole is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Juan County, Utah. Reported finds include carnotite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: San Juan County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Browns Hole Road
Coordinates: 38.34994, -109.36271

Geology at Browns Hole

This spot sits on ground mapped as Mixed eolian and alluvial 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: Mixed eolian and alluvial deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Elevation: 6,090 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 Browns Hole

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LA SAL 1SW 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 Browns Hole

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

Carnotite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Browns Hole.

Browns Hole FAQ

Where is Browns Hole?+

Browns Hole is in San Juan County, Utah, at 38.34994, -109.36271. Nearest road: Browns Hole Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Browns Hole?+

Browns Hole is reported to produce Carnotite.

Is collecting allowed at Browns Hole?+

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 Browns Hole?+

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 Browns Hole?+

The most comfortable months at Browns Hole are March to November.

How do I get to Browns Hole?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.34994, -109.36271 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Browns Hole Road.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 246 Utah spots →

Open Browns Hole on the map

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