Lisbon Valley: Azurite & Cuprite Rockhounding in San Juan County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Lisbon Valley is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Juan County, Utah. Reported finds include azurite, cuprite, malachite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: San Juan County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Lisbon Valley Road
Coordinates: 38.15780, -109.14833

Geology at Lisbon Valley

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: 6,380 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 Lisbon Valley

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 18°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LA SAL 1SW station (12 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 Lisbon Valley

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 Lisbon Valley.

Lisbon Valley FAQ

Where is Lisbon Valley?+

Lisbon Valley is in San Juan County, Utah, at 38.15780, -109.14833. Nearest road: Lisbon Valley Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Lisbon Valley?+

Lisbon Valley is reported to produce Azurite, Cuprite, Malachite.

Is collecting allowed at Lisbon Valley?+

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 Lisbon Valley?+

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 Lisbon Valley?+

The most comfortable months at Lisbon Valley are March to November.

How do I get to Lisbon Valley?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.15780, -109.14833 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Lisbon Valley Road.

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