Rawhide Buttes: Azurite & Bornite Rockhounding in Goshen County, Wyoming

Updated June 2026

Rawhide Buttes is a mapped rockhounding spot in Goshen County, Wyoming. Reported finds include azurite, bornite, chalcocite, chrysocolla, malachite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Goshen County
State: Wyoming
Nearest road: Silver Springs Road
Coordinates: 42.59351, -104.51303

Geology at Rawhide Buttes

This spot sits on Metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks, mapped as amphibolite, hornblende gneiss, and biotite gneiss that formed roughly 4030 to 2500 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks
Age: 4030–2500 Ma (Archean)
Rock types: amphibolite, hornblende gneiss, and biotite gneiss
Elevation: 5,380 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 Rawhide Buttes

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 34°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 11°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LUSK 2 SW station (11 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 Rawhide Buttes

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 Rawhide Buttes.

Across the state line from Rawhide Buttes

Rawhide 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.

Rawhide Buttes FAQ

Where is Rawhide Buttes?+

Rawhide Buttes is in Goshen County, Wyoming, at 42.59351, -104.51303. Nearest road: Silver Springs Road.

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

Rawhide Buttes is reported to produce Azurite, Bornite, Chalcocite, Chrysocolla, Malachite.

Is collecting allowed at Rawhide 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 Rawhide Buttes?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses are enough for oxidized copper ground. Look for green and blue staining on weathered rock and in old dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Rawhide Buttes?+

The most comfortable months at Rawhide Buttes are March to November.

How do I get to Rawhide Buttes?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.59351, -104.51303 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Silver Springs Road.

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Open Rawhide Buttes on the map

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