Where to find geodes in utah

Take exit 99 for State Highway 36 to Stansbury and Tooele. An unimproved road over another 2 miles will lead tothe Geode Beds. The Dugway Geode Beds are a Rockhounding hotspot. The most common mineral found within the geodes is quartz in various colors: clear rock crystal , purple amethyst , and pink rose. Geodes are usually found below the ground surface.

The best place to look for geodes is in areas that have been previously excavated. Most geodes are 2 to 3 inches in diameter and are typically lined with small quartz crystals that give the cavity a sugary appearance. I collected fragments and whole geodes near UTM map coordinates 12S Fish Springs , scale topographic map, Dugway Pass ,scale topographic map, and a Utah highway map.

Active mining claims exist on some portions of the "geode area" so seek permission from the claim owners before collecting. The casual collector may take small amounts of gemstones and rocks from unrestricted federal lands in Utah without obtaining a special permit if collection is for personal, noncommercial purposes. Collection in large quantities or for commercial purposes requires a permit, lease, or license from the BLM.

A shovel, pick, safety glasses and hammer in case you want to break your geodes on the spot. Whole geodes can be taken to your local rock shop to be cut in half. Bring plenty of water and remember to bring a spare tire in case of an unforeseen accident.

More importantly, be patient and have fun collecting! We hope you enjoyed this information. It is also your responsibility to verify and gain permission to visit each collection site that is mentioned on this website. Always respect private property! Utah is a state practically made of rock.

The vast lands of southern Utah are intricately carved into the red and white sandstone limestone layers of the Colorado Plateau, leaving behind well-known monuments in locations like Canyonlands and Zion National Parks. However, there is plenty of other rocks and minerals aside from the red sandstone of southern Utah. This state is even known by some as the Rockhounding Capital of the United States.

And hidden throughout the state, just waiting to be found are geodes. The dugway is a large excavation site west of Salt Lake City. The area is free to the public, but there are a few safety concerns that you have to worry about. First, the sediment is very loose and soft. The area is also pretty hot.

Watch your step and drink plenty of water. From there, you can just look for other dig sites. The area is quite popular among rock enthusiasts, so might have to drive a little further to find some good spots. I recommend taking the turn off road another two miles to find the highest concentration of geodes. Make sure you bring plenty of gas and supplies along with you.

As you can probably guess from the name, you can find a ton of topaz in the area.