Colorado River: Gold Prospecting in San Juan County, Utah

Updated July 2026

Colorado River is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Juan County, Utah. Reported finds include chromite, gold. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: San Juan County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 37.76351, -110.43306

Geology at Colorado River

This spot sits on ground mapped as water. Placer gold, where present, typically concentrates in the gravels and washes that drain ground like this.

Mapped unit: water
Elevation: 3,690 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 Colorado River

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 99°F in midsummer and 45°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 31°F. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HITE RS station (8 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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 Colorado River

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 Colorado River.

Colorado River FAQ

Where is Colorado River?+

Colorado River is in San Juan County, Utah, at 37.76351, -110.43306.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Colorado River?+

Colorado River is reported to produce Chromite, Gold.

Is collecting allowed at Colorado River?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Colorado River?+

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 Colorado River?+

The most comfortable months at Colorado River are September to May. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

How do I get to Colorado River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.76351, -110.43306 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Colorado River on the map

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