Moab Valley: Anhydrite & Carnallite Rockhounding in San Juan County, Utah

Updated July 2026

Moab Valley is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Juan County, Utah. Reported finds include anhydrite, carnallite, gypsum, halite, polyhalite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: San Juan County
State: Utah
Nearest road: La Sal Loop Road
Coordinates: 38.47711, -109.43864

Geology at Moab Valley

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: 5,010 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 Moab Valley

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 96°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 18°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, MOAB station (9 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 Moab 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 Moab Valley.

Moab Valley FAQ

Where is Moab Valley?+

Moab Valley is in San Juan County, Utah, at 38.47711, -109.43864. Nearest road: La Sal Loop Road.

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

Moab Valley is reported to produce Anhydrite, Carnallite, Gypsum, Halite, Polyhalite, Sylvite.

Is collecting allowed at Moab Valley?+

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 Moab Valley?+

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 Moab Valley?+

The most comfortable months at Moab Valley are February to June. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Moab Valley?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.47711, -109.43864 in Google Maps. The nearest road is La Sal Loop Road.

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