1.) Enter your email address to subscribe to this the content of this site, some of which, we hear, is worthwhile. Objective is to get to Road 4412. | Rockhounding Wyoming Table of Contents: About This Book ix. Use this resource as a guide to get you started. HOME Belemnites and other fossils near Bridger, MT: 4.) google_ad_height=600; The famous Triceratops fossils are plentiful in Wyoming; however, the Knightia Fish is the official state fossil of Wyoming. i am wondering if we can even make it to the top. google_ad_format="120x240_as"; Blue forest petrified wood near Granger, WY: 11.) In fact, everywhere in the blackened areas has petrified wood on both sides of the draw. Meteorites have been found on a highway cut north of Laramie. You may also find gold along with parts of the Snake River in the southern part of Jackson Hole, northwest Wyoming. Devils Kitchen walk-in access near Red Gulch, Wyoming: 9.) This area is very close to Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite. Bula, yall! To get you started on prospecting, the Wyoming State Geological Survey has prepared a Carbon County is the home to some excellent specimens, including: Suppose youre interested in finding nephrite-type jade specimens. Some areas of individual parks are legal to rockhound, but it all depends on the state. The GPS coordinate I put up is right by a place called Black Rock, which is an ultrapotassic, lamproite volcaniclastic exposure. Belemnites and other fossils near Bridger, MT: Winton petrified wood near Rock Springs, WY: Sharktooth Ridge teeth and trace fossils near Rawlins, WY: Interesting sedimentary features near Adobe Town, WY: Fossil Mountain & Darby Wind Cave near Jackson, WY: Red Gulch Dino Track Site near Shell, WY: Devils Kitchen walk-in access near Red Gulch, Wyoming: Moonshine Arch near Vernal, UT along with a dinosaur track site at Red Fleet: Blue forest petrified wood near Granger, WY: Fish fossils and some shark teeth near Farson, WY: Agatized fossil shells near Rock Springs, WY: Calcite for making lamps and also nice bots in roadside cut near Lander. I will update this to add many locations as I am able, but its one of my lower priorities. Phosphate rock is also located here. You can find opal here, in the deposits associated with the hot springs. The road is really easy going, but the locals arent friendly, even by my states standards. Fossilized leaves near Miles City, MT: 2.) This new version of the guide arranges the sites into counties and regions, with a different chapter for each county. Agates also happen to be some of the most commonly collected rocks in the United States, including Wyoming. If you want more locations before i get these done and a different view of theWyomingmineral collecting area check out my, ___________________________________________________, ____________________________________________________, Welcome to Wyoming Rockhounding Adventures, 2010 Rockhounding and mineral collecting reports, 03-27-10 Wyoming rock hounding agate and jasper, 04-23-10 Schrckingerite or schroeckingerite found at lost creek, 05-22-10 Riverton rockhound club field trip, 05-30-10 Orthoclase the other white crystal, 09-04-10 Wiggins fork moss agate petrified wood, 10-09-10 Malachite and azurite in the rain copper mountain part 3, 10-23-10 Azurite and malachite copper mountain pt4, 2011 Rockhounding and mineral collecting reports, 04-10-11 Schrckingerite or schroeckingerite found at lost creek part2. In Wyoming, you can find sedimentary rocks such as bentonite, chert, coal, concretion-geode, conglomerate, gypsum, limestone-dolomite, oil shale, shale, taconite, or trona, among many others. If you want to find sapphires, you may go to the Palmer Canyon in Albany. Go north on 191, take a right on the dirt road (GPS should lead you there), continue on dirt road until you see a sign that is marked for Winton and Superior. Do NOT attempt unless dry. The Bridger Formation in areas north of Wamsutter, Sweetwater County, and in an area north and east of Farson, Sweetwater, and Sublette counties, the western half of the Bighorn Basin of Bighorn, Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie Counties, or the Steamboat Mountain in the Leucite Hills. Suitable for the advanced backpacker. Agatized fossil shells near Rock Springs, WY: 14. It is going to take me a while to get all the locations in here. Interesting sedimentary features near Adobe Town, WY: 7.) Other great places to find opals are the Absaroka Mountains, which are in the area of northwest Wyoming, near Smith Creek in Carbon County, or near Lusk in Niobrara County. I have written entire articles which cover the rockhounding laws and regulations for nearly every type of public land you can think of. Rockhounding is recognized as a legitimate recreational pursuit on nearly all of the 18 million acres of public land in Wyoming. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS In general, the best places to find crystals and gemstones in Wyoming are washes and draws across the western half of the state, particularly near Kemmerer, Atlantic City, and Rock Springs. You never know what type of crystals or patterns youre going to find inside and it makes them incredibly exciting. The ants use them for construction material. Sharktooth Ridge teeth and trace fossils near Rawlins, WY: 6.) Tom, this is an AMAZING resource. In the charred areas with coal youll find petrified wood. Exploring the Laramie Mountain Range can lead to finding specimens like amphibole, epidote, plagioclase minerals, garnet, magnetite, and mica. Search for maps by using the main search field (this will search all columns and some un-displayed information such as keywords, counties and product SKU numbers). google_ad_format="120x600_as"; We hope you enjoy your time on our site and come back often because were always adding new dig locations and crystal collecting updates. Library for the books I use when I go out rock hunting. Be safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect specimens. Below is a list of rockhounding locations in wyoming with a description of the minerals found there and pictures. The Absaroka Mountains are an excellent place to explore. Wyoming is home to some incredible jade specimens, mainly of the classes nephrite and jadeite. If you are interested in checking out the best book about rockhounding in Wyoming you can find it by clickinghere(Amazon link). amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Find out how these beautiful minerals are formed and more in this article:What Is Agate And How Do Agates Form? Quartz crystals are typically found everywhere north of Saratoga along Highway 130 to Walcott Junction. I recommend walk-in access via the Radio Creek Road starting at a pullout located here. Any tips would be great! TIP:Agates are one of the most popular minerals among rockhounds in the United States. All 50 States Answered, contacting the assessor in whatever county youre inte, Gastroliths, Petrified dinosaur bones, Fossils, Gypsum, Dinosaur bones, Gastroliths, Fossils, Fossils, Ammonites, Dinosaur bones, Gastroliths, Agate, Chalcedony, Gold, Nephrite jade, Jade, Jasper, Muscovite, Quartz crystals, Agatized wood, Opalized wood, Tourmaline, Agate (banded, moss), Aventurine, Garnet, Sapphire, Agate (Sweetwater agate), Nephrite jade, Jade, Aquamarine, Beryl, Feldspar crystals, Muscovite, Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Jade, Nephrite jade, Quartz crystals, Silicified wood. That said, lab is pretty much a plagioclase feldspar. The prominent minerals found in Wyoming are agates quite a variety of them, jades, opals, chalcedony, and other varieties of quartz crystals, among others. Find out where to find minerals in Wyoming down below. An official website of the United States government. 08-13-11 A very hot day to rockhound with cool marcasite, 09-03-11 Crystal park quartz crystals and bread, 10-15-11 Another world class pseudomorph deposit, 2012 Denver gem and mineral show report fall, 2013 Denver gem and mineral show report fall, 2013 Rockhounding and mineral collecting reports, 04-06-13 Shirley basin agates and calcite, 04-13-13 red feather quartz crystals and a surprise mineral, 2014 Denver gem and mineral show report fall, Denver Coliseum Mineral Fossil and Gem Show, International Gem Jewelry Show denver 2014, Denver gem and mineral show 2010 report fall, Denver mineral show report 2010 fall part 2, Denver mineral show report 2010 fall part 3, Denver mineral show report 2010 fall part 4, Denver mineral show report 2010 fall part 5, Photo report Denver gem mineral rockhounding show 2011, Denver gem and mineral show report 2010 spring, Denver gem and mineral show report 2011 spring, Links to other Rock show reports Tucson , Denver, Blue Forest Wyoming petrified wood location, Copper Mountain Pegmatite District Wyoming. Modern Rockhounding and Prospecting Handbook $19.73 A must have for every serious rockhound! The clamber down through the woods and thicket is well worth the spectacular site of the mountainous, artesian well. You can find many types of feldspar minerals in Goshen County, including mica minerals, and in the Muskrat Canyon area of the county, you can find the marble. Rock Hound Etiquette 7. If you want to find sapphires in Fremont, you should go to Grizzly Creek and Sweeny Basin. Proceed up canyon dirt road (12) until you reach the top plateau and it is flat. Additionally, you cannot progress away from Black Rock to the southGoogle Earth and maps for the area are old, but mining concerns have cordoned off the area and dug huge swaths of land away, so youll just drive for 30 minutes and get stuck. In the case of petrified wood, you are only allowed to take around 25 pounds, plus one piece, each day, and you cant exceed 250 pounds of petrified wood in any calendar year without a permit. types. google_ad_format="120x240_as"; TIP: Opal is a one-of-a-kind, highly valuable gemstone. This website also participates in Google Adsense. Ammonite-like fossils, kimberlite, etc. Natrona County is located in central Wyoming, and it is another excellent county when it comes to rocks or minerals. I am in Farson WY and went to check out the fish fossil/shark tooth location listed. Select locations particularly the tailings of old mines are prime spots for specimens of minerals like azurite, malachite, beryl, tourmaline, and garnet. you can access Utah rockhounding locations https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=17-pa3pYy0AqN0D2Zh4cXklR9A7g&ll=39.483150381536596%2C-111.60763899999999&z=8. As a group, members learn so much about the local geology and spend time sharing knowledge of lapidary techniques necessary to enhance the appearance of their finds. I enjoy collecting and tumbling rocks with my daughter and traveling the world with my wife seeing geologic wonders. Geologic Map of Phantom Lake Quadrangle Geologic mapping of the Phantom Lake quadrangle in Carbon County is available. Use caution. Please direct technical questions (including broken links) about this Web site to [email protected]. Welcome to Wyoming Rockhounding Adventures, 2010 Rockhounding and mineral collecting reports, 03-27-10 Wyoming rock hounding agate and jasper, 04-23-10 Schrckingerite or schroeckingerite found at lost creek, 05-22-10 Riverton rockhound club field trip, 05-30-10 Orthoclase the other white crystal, 09-04-10 Wiggins fork moss agate petrified wood, 10-09-10 Malachite and azurite in the rain copper mountain part 3, 10-23-10 Azurite and malachite copper mountain pt4, 2011 Rockhounding and mineral collecting reports, 04-10-11 Schrckingerite or schroeckingerite found at lost creek part2. Jades are present in Carbon County as well. Wyoming Rockhound Locations Wyoming is among the top rockhounding locations in the United States. Lets dig in! One of the most common questions rockhounds have is whether or not they are allowed to collect at a certain location. If you are a rockhound and don't live in Wyoming, you may want to move here! Some of the more unique specimens you may be interested in are Turritella agates and nephrite jade which can both be found in relative abundance if you look in the right places. BTW: Check out this amazing metal sign (Amazon link) which is perfect for everyone who loves rockhounding in Wyoming! google_ad_width=120; The Sublette County Rock Hounds Club is relatively new to the scene of formal rockhound organizations. When you look for it, it often just looks like ugly, whiteish or greyish rocks. However, it is legal to hound the areas surrounding this famous park. Follow the four-wheeler track down the mountain and into the badlands below. My little girl loves rocks now (gems and fossils both). Files WYNF-0004_rockhounding (051418).pdf (PDF / 264 KB) Publication Date Introduction 1. This is where you will find what is legal or not in Wyoming, in regards to rockhounding, where you are allowed to rockhound, what, and how much. Thanks again for this site. Guide to Prospecting and Rock Hunting in Wyoming The Sand Creek and Red Buttes areas of Albany County are full of sedimentary rocks. Rockhounding Locations - Google My Maps Rockhounding Locations Rockhounding Locations Search Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More Calendar Translate Mobile Books. Follow the road a short distance until it splits; stop at the fork and walk up the washed-out left road for a few hundred feet. The Owl Creek Mountains, Fremont, and Hot Spring counties also have jade. I would probably start by contacting the assessor in whatever county youre interested in and getting whatever contact information you can for the landowner. Tip: Not sure if the rock youve found is a geode? As for what you should be looking for, the following link provides better examples than I have (since Im on my phone). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. The ant hills are basically everywhere if you get out and walk around, and your biggest issue will most likely be needing 44 to get there, and especially across the creek to the north. Also explore the WSMGS Topic Library for articles such as Palmer Canyon is the place to be if you want to find sapphire. google_ad_client="pub-2930148589555936"; Here, rockhounds can find agates. was featured in the November 2012 issue of Jade State News. I'm Mike Rhea, and I'm a professional Geologist with a passion for rocks, minerals, and everything related to Geology. google_ad_height=240; The Riverton Mineral and Gem Society is an organization for people of all ages and experience levels. Please take our survey about how you use and access the data we provide on our website. It should be no surprise that there are several rockhound societies in Wyoming worth checking into. I had an odd experience last year. You can find plenty of minerals in Wyoming, especially in the mountains, such as Casper Mountain, Absaroka Mountain, Laramie Range, or Medicine Bow Range. Rockhounds can explore most of Wyoming's geologic products up close because over 50% of the state is public land! In fact, Wyoming is home to a unique variety of agate called Turritella agate that is extremely popular with local collectors. google_color_bg="1B1B1B"; Quartz crystals can also be found northeast of Buffalo and in Box Elder Canyon. The relatively recent volcanic and metamorphic activity in Wyoming has given rise to many desirable and sought-after rocks and minerals, but it helps to have an idea of where to look and what to search for. The number of potential collecting sites here makes it an excellent location for those interested not only in rocks, but also minerals that can be found within them! that describes some of the most common rocks and minerals to be found in Wyoming, along with general localities in the state where they might be found. In Wyoming, there is a wide variety of gemstones like jade, the states official gemstone, diamonds, sapphire, ruby, opal, peridot, iolite, agate, petrified wood, and quartz crystals. Wyomings state gemstone, nephrite, can primarily be found in Fremont County, particularly in the large area centered around the towns of Lander and Atlantic City. You can follow the formations exposure along a great length of the escarpment. Theyre excellent for novices and experts alike, not to mention the members can likely share some of the lesser-known locations. We are noobies at rockhounding and shark teeth have been on our bucket list. Turritella agates are most commonly found in southwest Wyoming, especially near the town of Granger. Everyone enjoys the prospect of finding their very own geodes out in the wild, and its easy to see why. Rockhounds can find all sorts of rocks and minerals, including: A look around the Wood River and Sunlight Basin areas can potentially lead to finding gold. These are mostly comprised of old mining prospects, washes, streams, and historically known rock and mineral collecting sites. High-clearance only. Hello and thank you for posting this information. Black Hills, South Dakota: 1. . Rockhound Trip report spring 2008. Some of the most prominent metamorphic rocks in Wyoming are gneiss, marble, quartzite, schist, and slate, among many others. Follow the road toward its terminus (going down toward a river) and easy, walk-in access is available. If opals are something you hope to find, check around Smith Creek. Afton Canyon is one of only three places where the Mojave River flows above ground year-round in the Mojave Desert. Pictures and notes on the fossils near Farson. This paper has an alternate location along the logging road. A quick jaunt down a nice dirt road brings you to the overlook, which is marked with a sign. Fort Bridger, area gravels, streams, washes, etc. RedLong-duration hikes, typically 5+days. Fossil Mountain & Darby Wind Cave near Jackson, WY: 8.) Check out my article about how to identify a geode. Cody 59ers Rock Club was established in 1959 to help promote and share knowledge surrounding rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils through field trips. In the Bighorn Range part of Natrona County, you may discover pegmatite, while the igneous rock pumice-pumicite is located in the Split Rock area of Natrona County. If youre looking to start collecting rocks in Wyoming, agates are a great place to start. Other sources include: North Carolina Rockhounding Location Guide & Map, Montana Rockhounding Location Guide & Map. Hi, do you have the gps coordinates for the peridot/ant hills? Only very minor surface mining has been done here. google_color_bg="1B1B1B"; Drive up the garbage road toward White Mountain and park near the area with the in-ground tank, then follow the trails west into the lower hills. Find out more in the article below:Difference Between Real & Fake Geodes: Focus on These Signs. Thats why I wrote an article about all helpful safety tips and more:PRO Tips for Beginner & Experienced Rockhounds + Safety Tips. ), Check ant beds in this area for peridot and other little gems. google_ad_width=120; Petrified wood can be found in the Amethyst Mountains area of Yellowstone as well. The locations and information contained in this article are primarily derived from academic papers, online resources, and other outside sources. The best rockhounding locations in the United States include the Oregon Beaches, Lake Superior, Crater of Diamonds State Park, Emerald Hollow Mine, Jade Cove Trail, Gold Prospecting Adventure, Fossil Butte National Monument, Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine, Spectrum Sunstone Mine, or Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine. Here, rockhounds can find some incredible specimens, including: The Casper Mountains contain chromite, feldspar, and beryl. Atlantic City, area stream gravels, draws, etc. State-By-State Rockhounding Location Guides & Maps No matter where you live in the U.S., there are likely many exciting rockhounding sites nearby. Wyoming is home to a large array of rocks and minerals that will be of interest to the collector, some of which are fairly unique to the area. It is located in the northwestern part of Wyoming, and you can find amethyst, opals, and many other types of valuable gems and minerals. The ant hills are basically everywhere if you get out and walk around, and your biggest issue will most likely be needing 44 to get there, and especially across the creek to the north. Rainbow agates are located along the Wind River near Riverton, in Fremont County. google_color_text="FFFFFF"; TIP:Rockhounding is much easier when you use proper tools and equipment. The Wiggins and Late Basic Breccia formations in the Absaroka Mountains of northwest Wyoming are also great for finding obsidian, but you should check the regulations before you attempt this. The higher hills to the west (the mesas and buttes) are all ultrapotassic and mafic rocks. Albany County is in the bottom eastern portion of Wyoming and borders the northern Colorado state line. google_ad_client="pub-2930148589555936"; Simple Explanation, 8 Factors Why Opal is Valuable (Prices for Different Types), How To Cut & Polish Petrified Wood: Follow These 3 Steps, Recommended tools and equipment for rockhounding, Commonly found in the Paleozoic rocks, the Permian Phosporia formation, and the Mississippian Madison limestone, The northwest city of Cody and the Lovell town in Big Horn County, The Spirit Mountain Cavern, located west of Cody, along the Yellowstone Highway, The Eocene Green River Formation of southwestern Wyoming, or the town of Green River, Very common in all of the Precambrian mountain cores of Wyoming, On the west of Jay Em in Muskrat Canyon area of Goshen County, about 15 miles west of Wheatland, in the Marble Canyon area of Platte County, in the Medicine Bow Mountains of Albany and Carbon Counties, the Bighorn Mountains, near Douglas, in Converse County, and from the west flank of the Black Hills in Crook County, The Copper Mountain, Freemont County, in the Laramie Range of Albany and Converse counties, the Lewiston area of Fremont County, and the Bighorn Mountains area of Washakie County, Almost in all of the Precambrian pegmatites of Wyoming, Albany County, Carbon County, or 23 miles southwest of Wheatland, Platte County. Late Tertiary welded tuffs are known to crop out in Yellowstone, while volcanic breccia is typical here. Rockhounds can find opal within the deposits associated with the parks hot springs. Wyoming is home to Yellowstone National Park, which spans over 2 million acres. Peridot in ant hills and arroyos near Black Rock Butte. 08-07-11 Elusive Wyoming fluorite specimens. Wyoming is home to Yellowstone National Park, which spans over 2 million acres. Anyway, follow that Jeep trail down toward the bottom, where it first starts getting pretty flat, and youll find a ton of fossils. Let me know if this is useful or if I can improve it in any way! See my details at this link. Let us begin with gems. The minerals listed above are among the most famous in Wyoming; however, Wyoming is full of other minerals. here. See my hikes in to this area in the early spring, middle-summer, and late summer. Where are the best places for rockhounding in Wyoming? TIP:Dont forget to follow all the safety recommendations when rockhounding because your health is always the most important. I hope my articles will be useful to you. Albany is among the best rock-hounding places in Wyoming since you can find various rocks and minerals.