Central: Geode Digging in Washington County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Central is a mapped rockhounding spot in Washington County, Utah. Reported finds include geode. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Washington County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Santa Clara Access Road
Coordinates: 37.41116, -113.60119

Geology at Central

This spot sits on Fourmile Bench lava flow, mapped as basalt that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Volcanic rock like this is classic geode and thunderegg country: gas cavities in the old flows can line themselves with quartz or agate over time.

Mapped unit: Fourmile Bench lava flow
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene)
Rock types: basalt
Elevation: 5,340 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 Central

Best months: January to November. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 45°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 26°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, VEYO POWERHOUSE 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 Central

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

Geode Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Central.

Across the state line from Central

Central 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.

Central FAQ

Where is Central?+

Central is in Washington County, Utah, at 37.41116, -113.60119. Nearest road: Santa Clara Access Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Central?+

Central is reported to produce Geode.

Is collecting allowed at Central?+

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 Central?+

Bring a crack hammer, a chisel, safety glasses, and a bucket. Candidates are rounder and lighter than solid rock; a soil pipe cutter opens them cleaner than a flat smash.

When is the best time to visit Central?+

The most comfortable months at Central are January to November.

How do I get to Central?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.41116, -113.60119 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Santa Clara Access Road.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 246 Utah spots →

Open Central on the map

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