Red Buttes: Gypsum Rockhounding in Albany County, Wyoming

Updated June 2026

Red Buttes is a mapped rockhounding spot in Albany County, Wyoming. Reported finds include gypsum. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Albany County
State: Wyoming
Coordinates: 41.16924, -105.62207

Geology at Red Buttes

This spot sits on ground mapped as Gypsite deposits that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Fresh exposures, cuts, and drainages are typically the most productive places to look on ground like this.

Mapped unit: Gypsite deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Elevation: 7,290 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 Red Buttes

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 34°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 13°F. At about 7,290 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LARAMIE 4SE station (9 mi away).

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 Wyoming
Wyoming State Geological Survey
Fossil Butte National Monument
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Red Buttes

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

Gypsum Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Red Buttes.

Across the state line from Red Buttes

Red Buttes is close enough to the Wyoming border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Red Buttes FAQ

Where is Red Buttes?+

Red Buttes is in Albany County, Wyoming, at 41.16924, -105.62207.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Red Buttes?+

Red Buttes is reported to produce Gypsum.

Is collecting allowed at Red Buttes?+

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 Red Buttes?+

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 Red Buttes?+

The most comfortable months at Red Buttes are April to October. At about 7,290 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Red Buttes?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.16924, -105.62207 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Wyoming

See all 82 Wyoming spots →

Open Red Buttes on the map

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