Mercur: Gold Prospecting in Tooele County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Mercur is a mapped rockhounding spot in Tooele County, Utah. Reported finds include cinnabar, gold, orpiment, quartz, rutile, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Tooele County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Mercur Canyon Road
Coordinates: 40.32227, -112.21272

Geology at Mercur

This spot sits on Great Blue Ls, Humbug Formation, and Deseret Limestone, mapped as limestone that formed roughly 360 to 325 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: Great Blue Ls, Humbug Formation, and Deseret Limestone
Age: 360–325 Ma (Mississippian)
Rock types: limestone
Elevation: 6,720 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 Mercur

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 7°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, FAIRFIELD station (8 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 Mercur

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 Mercur.

Mercur FAQ

Where is Mercur?+

Mercur is in Tooele County, Utah, at 40.32227, -112.21272. Nearest road: Mercur Canyon Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mercur?+

Mercur is reported to produce Cinnabar, Gold, Orpiment, Quartz, Rutile, Scorodite, Talc, Tourmaline.

Is collecting allowed at Mercur?+

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 Mercur?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Mercur?+

The most comfortable months at Mercur are March to November.

How do I get to Mercur?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.32227, -112.21272 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Mercur Canyon Road.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open Mercur on the map

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