Box Elder Canyon: Geode Digging in Converse County, Wyoming

Updated June 2026

Box Elder Canyon is a mapped rockhounding spot in Converse County, Wyoming. Reported finds include geode, quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Converse County
State: Wyoming
Coordinates: 42.76965, -105.77265

Geology at Box Elder Canyon

This spot sits on ground mapped as Casper Formation that formed roughly 315 to 275 million years ago. Geodes typically weather free of their host rock and collect as rounded float in soils and drainages.

Mapped unit: Casper Formation
Age: 315–275 Ma (Middle Pennsylvanian to Early Permian)
Elevation: 5,320 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 Box Elder Canyon

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 11°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CONVERSE CO AP ASOS station (20 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 Wyoming
Wyoming State Geological Survey
Fossil Butte National Monument
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Box Elder Canyon

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 Box Elder Canyon.

Box Elder Canyon FAQ

Where is Box Elder Canyon?+

Box Elder Canyon is in Converse County, Wyoming, at 42.76965, -105.77265.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Box Elder Canyon?+

Box Elder Canyon is reported to produce Geode, Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Box Elder Canyon?+

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 Box Elder Canyon?+

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 Box Elder Canyon?+

The most comfortable months at Box Elder Canyon are March to November.

How do I get to Box Elder Canyon?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.76965, -105.77265 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Wyoming

See all 82 Wyoming spots →

Open Box Elder Canyon on the map

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