La Sal Mountains: Amethyst & Azurite Rockhounding in San Juan County, Utah

Updated June 2026

La Sal Mountains is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Juan County, Utah. Reported finds include amethyst, azurite, bornite, carnotite, chalcocite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: San Juan County
State: Utah
Nearest road: La Sal Pass Road
Coordinates: 38.42818, -109.25853

Geology at La Sal Mountains

This spot sits on Younger alluvial gravel deposits, mapped as gravel that formed within roughly the last 129,000 years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Younger alluvial gravel deposits
Age: < 1 Ma (Late Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: gravel
Elevation: 10,260 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 La Sal Mountains

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 74°F in midsummer and 25°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 5°F. At about 10,260 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LA SAL 1SW station (9 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 La Sal Mountains

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 La Sal Mountains.

La Sal Mountains FAQ

Where is La Sal Mountains?+

La Sal Mountains is in San Juan County, Utah, at 38.42818, -109.25853. Nearest road: La Sal Pass Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at La Sal Mountains?+

La Sal Mountains is reported to produce Amethyst, Azurite, Bornite, Carnotite, Chalcocite, Chrysocolla, Limonite, Malachite, Molybdenite.

Is collecting allowed at La Sal Mountains?+

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 La Sal Mountains?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit La Sal Mountains?+

The most comfortable months at La Sal Mountains are April to October. At about 10,260 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to La Sal Mountains?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.42818, -109.25853 in Google Maps. The nearest road is La Sal Pass Road.

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