Gypsum Creek: Anhydrite & Gypsum Rockhounding in San Juan County, Utah

Updated July 2026

Gypsum Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Juan County, Utah. Reported finds include anhydrite, gypsum. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: San Juan County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 38.00428, -110.06797

Geology at Gypsum Creek

This spot sits on Alluvium and colluvium, mapped as unconsolidated alluvium and colluvium 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: Alluvium and colluvium
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: unconsolidated alluvium and colluvium
Elevation: 3,730 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 Gypsum Creek

Best months: September to June. Typical highs run 97°F in midsummer and 45°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 32°F. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HANS FLAT RS station (18 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 Gypsum Creek

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 Gypsum Creek.

Gypsum Creek FAQ

Where is Gypsum Creek?+

Gypsum Creek is in San Juan County, Utah, at 38.00428, -110.06797.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Gypsum Creek?+

Gypsum Creek is reported to produce Anhydrite, Gypsum.

Is collecting allowed at Gypsum Creek?+

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 Gypsum Creek?+

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 Gypsum Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Gypsum Creek are September to June. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

How do I get to Gypsum Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.00428, -110.06797 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Gypsum Creek on the map

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