Rockhounding on Public Lands | Bureau of Land Management
Source: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/rockhounding
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:17
Rockhounding on Public Lands | Bureau of Land Management
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Rockhounding on Public Lands
BLM’s regulations (43 CFR 8365.1-5(b)(2))
generally
allow members of the public to collect reasonable amounts of nonrenewable resources such as rocks, mineral specimens, and semiprecious gemstones for noncommercial purposes on BLM-managed public lands. Noncommercial means that the collector is not selling the items for a business or financial gain. Such collection is generally not allowed, however, in certain areas, such as on developed recreation sites, where there are active mining claims or other authorized mineral uses, or on lands where the mineral estate is owned privately.
Learn more about Rockhounding by reading our FAQs or visiting the links below to download rockhounding guides and to explore rockhounding areas offered by the BLM.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Guide to Collecting on Public Lands
State Rockhounding Guides:
Rockhounding in Arizona
Rockhounding in Wyoming
Rockhounding Areas:
Arizona Black Hills Rockhound Area
Arizona Round Mountain Rockhound Area
California Wiley Well Geode Beds
California Chambless Rock Collecting Area
California Savahia Peak Rock Collecting Area
Nevada Garnet Hill
Oregon Sunstone Collection Area
Utah Dugway Geode Beds
Utah Topaz Mountain Rockhound Recreation Area
Have Questions?
Contact your
local BLM office
regarding applicable laws, policies or resource management restrictions that may limit or prohibit rock collection for noncommercial purposes.
Get started by watching this video
Skip to main navigation
Skip to main content
Official websites use .gov
A
.gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A
lock
(
) or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
YouTube
Flickr
Rockhounding on Public Lands
BLM’s regulations (43 CFR 8365.1-5(b)(2))
generally
allow members of the public to collect reasonable amounts of nonrenewable resources such as rocks, mineral specimens, and semiprecious gemstones for noncommercial purposes on BLM-managed public lands. Noncommercial means that the collector is not selling the items for a business or financial gain. Such collection is generally not allowed, however, in certain areas, such as on developed recreation sites, where there are active mining claims or other authorized mineral uses, or on lands where the mineral estate is owned privately.
Learn more about Rockhounding by reading our FAQs or visiting the links below to download rockhounding guides and to explore rockhounding areas offered by the BLM.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Guide to Collecting on Public Lands
State Rockhounding Guides:
Rockhounding in Arizona
Rockhounding in Wyoming
Rockhounding Areas:
Arizona Black Hills Rockhound Area
Arizona Round Mountain Rockhound Area
California Wiley Well Geode Beds
California Chambless Rock Collecting Area
California Savahia Peak Rock Collecting Area
Nevada Garnet Hill
Oregon Sunstone Collection Area
Utah Dugway Geode Beds
Utah Topaz Mountain Rockhound Recreation Area
Have Questions?
Contact your
local BLM office
regarding applicable laws, policies or resource management restrictions that may limit or prohibit rock collection for noncommercial purposes.
Get started by watching this video