Moses Rock: Arizona Ruby Garnet & Chlorite Rockhounding in San Juan County, Utah

Updated July 2026

Moses Rock is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Juan County, Utah. Reported finds include arizona ruby garnet, chlorite, corundum, rutile, spinel. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: San Juan County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 37.08401, -109.73288

Geology at Moses Rock

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: 4,540 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 Moses Rock

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 98°F in midsummer and 45°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 21°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 (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 Moses Rock

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 Moses Rock.

Across the state line from Moses Rock

Moses Rock 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 · 64 mi awayChert, Garnet, Jasper

Moses Rock FAQ

Where is Moses Rock?+

Moses Rock is in San Juan County, Utah, at 37.08401, -109.73288.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Moses Rock?+

Moses Rock is reported to produce Arizona Ruby Garnet, Chlorite, Corundum, Rutile, Spinel.

Is collecting allowed at Moses Rock?+

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 Moses Rock?+

A rock hammer, a sieve, and a small shovel work well for garnet-type minerals, which concentrate as resistant grains in soils and creek gravels.

When is the best time to visit Moses Rock?+

The most comfortable months at Moses Rock 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 Moses Rock?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.08401, -109.73288 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Moses Rock on the map

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