Ephraim: Limonite Rockhounding in Sanpete County, Utah

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Sanpete County

State

Utah

Coordinates

39.35491, -111.52856

Geology at Ephraim

This spot sits on ground mapped as Flagstaff Limestone that formed roughly 66 to 34 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit

Flagstaff Limestone

Age

66–34 Ma (Paleocene to Eocene)

Elevation

6,980 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 Ephraim

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 31°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, EPHRAIM station (4 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 Ephraim

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

• LimoniteEncyclopedia →