Best spot

Gold Hill: Azurite & Cerussite Rockhounding in Tooele County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Gold Hill is one of Utah's most mineralogically varied old districts, with arsenic, gold, copper, lead, silver, tungsten, and zinc production tied to skarn, vein, and replacement deposits. UGS identifies it as Utah's leading historical producer of tungsten and arsenic, and Mindat records a broad suite of collectible secondary copper, lead, and zinc minerals around the district. Reported finds include azurite, cerussite, chalcopyrite, chlorite, chrysocolla, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Gold Hill photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Birnessite 01 at Gold Hill, Tooele County, Utah

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Tooele County
State: Utah
Nearest road: East First Avenue
Coordinates: 40.18129, -113.81019

Geology at Gold Hill

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: 4,980 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 Gold Hill

Best months: September to June. Typical highs run 96°F in midsummer and 46°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 14°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, IBAPAH station (16 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 Gold Hill

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 Gold Hill.

Across the state line from Gold Hill

Gold Hill 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.

Gold Hill FAQ

Where is Gold Hill?+

Gold Hill is in Tooele County, Utah, at 40.18129, -113.81019. Nearest road: East First Avenue.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Gold Hill?+

Gold Hill is reported to produce Azurite, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Chlorite, Chrysocolla, Galena, Gold, Gypsum, Jarosite, Malachite, Opal, Pyrite, Siderite, Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at Gold Hill?+

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 Gold Hill?+

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 Gold Hill?+

The most comfortable months at Gold Hill are September 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 Gold Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.18129, -113.81019 in Google Maps. The nearest road is East First Avenue.

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