Copper Mountain: Uranium Rockhounding in Fremont County, Wyoming

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Fremont County

State

Wyoming

Nearest road

Badwater Road

Coordinates

43.37993, -107.88428

Geology at Copper Mountain

This spot sits on Wagon Bed Formation, mapped as claystone, sandstone, and conglomerate that formed roughly 56 to 41 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit

Wagon Bed Formation

Age

56–41 Ma (Early Eocene to Middle Eocene)

Rock types

claystone, sandstone, and conglomerate

Elevation

5,680 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 Copper Mountain

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 27°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 3°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BOYSEN DAM station (14 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 Copper Mountain

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

• Uranium