Brush Creek: Apatite & Fluorapatite Rockhounding in Uintah County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Brush Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Uintah County, Utah. Reported finds include apatite, fluorapatite, francolite, phosphorite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Uintah County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Brush Creek Road
Postcode: 84078
Coordinates: 40.48661, -109.38845

Geology at Brush Creek

This spot sits on ground mapped as flood-plain and channel alluvium that formed within roughly the last 12,000 years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: flood-plain and channel alluvium
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Elevation: 5,110 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 Brush Creek

Best months: March to June. Typical highs run 93°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 7°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, DINOSAUR NM-QUARRY AREA station (5 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 Brush Creek

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 Brush Creek.

Across the state line from Brush Creek

Brush Creek 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.

Brush Creek FAQ

Where is Brush Creek?+

Brush Creek is in Uintah County, Utah, at 40.48661, -109.38845. Nearest road: Brush Creek Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Brush Creek?+

Brush Creek is reported to produce Apatite, Fluorapatite, Francolite, Phosphorite.

Is collecting allowed at Brush Creek?+

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 Brush Creek?+

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 Brush Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Brush Creek are March to June.

How do I get to Brush Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.48661, -109.38845 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Brush Creek Road.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 246 Utah spots →

Open Brush Creek on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.