Mexican Hat: Uranium Rockhounding in San Juan County, Utah

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: San Juan County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Mexican Hat Rock Road
Postcode: 84531
Coordinates: 37.16552, -109.84671

Geology at Mexican Hat

This spot sits on Cutler Group, mapped as sandstone that formed roughly 305 to 275 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Cutler Group
Age: 305–275 Ma (Late Pennsylvanian to Cisuralian)
Rock types: sandstone
Elevation: 4,220 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 Mexican Hat

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 99°F in midsummer and 46°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MEXICAN HAT station (2 mi away).

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 Mexican Hat

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

Uranium

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Mexican Hat.

Across the state line from Mexican Hat

Mexican Hat is close enough to the Utah border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

NW San Juan CountySan Juan County, New Mexico · 71 mi awayChert, Garnet, Jasper

Mexican Hat FAQ

Where is Mexican Hat?+

Mexican Hat is in San Juan County, Utah, at 37.16552, -109.84671. Nearest road: Mexican Hat Rock Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mexican Hat?+

Mexican Hat is reported to produce Uranium.

Is collecting allowed at Mexican Hat?+

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 Mexican Hat?+

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 Mexican Hat?+

The most comfortable months at Mexican Hat are September to May. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Mexican Hat?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.16552, -109.84671 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Mexican Hat Rock Road.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Mexican Hat on the map

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