Can I Keep This? | Bureau of Land Management
Source: https://www.blm.gov/Learn/Can-I-Keep-This
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Can I Keep This? | Bureau of Land Management
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Can I Keep This?
A guide to recreational collecting on BLM-managed lands
A distinguishing feature of many BLM‑managed public lands is that visitors are welcome to collect certain natural items for their own personal enjoyment. The guidance provided below is generalized for all BLM lands, but some areas have stricter limits due to specific sensitivities. In addition, Alaska has a unique
Subsistence Program
which follows a different set of rules.
When in doubt, check first!
Local BLM offices
can provide maps, permits, and area‑specific rules. Whenever and whatever you are collecting, be sure to practice responsible
outdoor ethics.
Forest and Wood Products
You may collect reasonable amounts of the following (non‑commercial only):
Firewood for Campfires
: You may collect dead and down wood for immediate campfire use unless campfire restrictions are in place. This is also true for Wilderness Areas. Please check
local fire restrictions
in advance and follow posted signs.
Firewood for Heating
:
Personal‑use firewood permits
(usually up to four cords for a small fee) are available in some areas — check with your local BLM office.
Plants and Fungi:
Small amounts of plants, seeds, berries, flowers, nuts, cones, and mushrooms may be collected for personal use in most areas. You may not collect plants that are:
Federally Threatened or Endangered
BLM special status species
Listed as protected by your state
Christmas Trees
:
Permits for cutting a Christmas tree
(for a nominal fee) are available seasonally in designated areas – check with your local BLM office.
Commercial Harvest
of plant materials (e.g., seeds, transplants, timber) requires a permit or contract. See our
Forest Product Permits
page for details.
Minerals
Recreational Collecting and
Rockhounding
: You may prospect with hand tools (pans, shovels, metal detectors) for gold, silver, gemstones, etc., with the following exceptions:
Wilderness
: In federally designated Wilderness Areas and Wilderness Study Areas, only non-motorized hand tools may be utilized, and the surface may only be minimally disturbed.
Mining Claims
: Minerals on active mining claims belong to the claim holder; you must obtain their permission.
Activities requiring BLM authorization
:
Suction dredges with intake >4 inches
Mechanized equipment or explosives
Any commercial exploration or sale of minerals
Commercial Extraction
:
Extraction of common-use minerals
(sand, gravel, landscaping rock) requires a permit or contract.
Petrified Wood
Unless otherwise specified, you may collect up to 25 pounds plus one piece of petrified wood per day, to a maximum of 250 pounds per person per year. Permits or contracts are required for pieces over 250 pounds. You may not trade, barter, or sell the petrified wood you collect without a contract from the BLM. For more information, see
43 CFR Part 3620 -- Free Use of Petrified Wood
.
Fossils
Common Invertebrates
: Recreational fossil collectors may gather common invertebrate fossils (e.g., trilobites, mollusks) in reasonable quantities for personal use only (no selling or bartering). Exceptions exist for areas with site-specific sensitivities, so check before you collect and follow posted signs.
Vertebrates and Uncommon Invertebrates
: Only permitted researchers may collect vertebrate fossils (dinosaurs, mammals, fish, reptiles) or uncommon invertebrate / plant fossils, as per the
Paleontological Resources Preservation Act.
For more information, see
43 CFR Part 49 -- Paleontological Resources Preservation
or our
Can I collect fossils?
page.
Cultural Materials
Under the
Archaeological Resources Protection Act
, it is illegal to remove, damage, disturb, or excavate cultural items without a permit. Examples of prohibited items include:
Projectile points and stone tools
Pottery, beads, baskets
Historic bottles, metal tools, horseshoes
Historic structures and sites (cabins, mills, graves, railroads, townsites)
Only modern money may be collected—not historic coins or artifacts.
Cave Resources
Caves that are determined to be "significant" may not be disturbed, as per
43 CFR Part 37 -- Cave Management
.
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
Can I Keep This?
A guide to recreational collecting on BLM-managed lands
A distinguishing feature of many BLM‑managed public lands is that visitors are welcome to collect certain natural items for their own personal enjoyment. The guidance provided below is generalized for all BLM lands, but some areas have stricter limits due to specific sensitivities. In addition, Alaska has a unique
Subsistence Program
which follows a different set of rules.
When in doubt, check first!
Local BLM offices
can provide maps, permits, and area‑specific rules. Whenever and whatever you are collecting, be sure to practice responsible
outdoor ethics.
Forest and Wood Products
You may collect reasonable amounts of the following (non‑commercial only):
Firewood for Campfires
: You may collect dead and down wood for immediate campfire use unless campfire restrictions are in place. This is also true for Wilderness Areas. Please check
local fire restrictions
in advance and follow posted signs.
Firewood for Heating
:
Personal‑use firewood permits
(usually up to four cords for a small fee) are available in some areas — check with your local BLM office.
Plants and Fungi:
Small amounts of plants, seeds, berries, flowers, nuts, cones, and mushrooms may be collected for personal use in most areas. You may not collect plants that are:
Federally Threatened or Endangered
BLM special status species
Listed as protected by your state
Christmas Trees
:
Permits for cutting a Christmas tree
(for a nominal fee) are available seasonally in designated areas – check with your local BLM office.
Commercial Harvest
of plant materials (e.g., seeds, transplants, timber) requires a permit or contract. See our
Forest Product Permits
page for details.
Minerals
Recreational Collecting and
Rockhounding
: You may prospect with hand tools (pans, shovels, metal detectors) for gold, silver, gemstones, etc., with the following exceptions:
Wilderness
: In federally designated Wilderness Areas and Wilderness Study Areas, only non-motorized hand tools may be utilized, and the surface may only be minimally disturbed.
Mining Claims
: Minerals on active mining claims belong to the claim holder; you must obtain their permission.
Activities requiring BLM authorization
:
Suction dredges with intake >4 inches
Mechanized equipment or explosives
Any commercial exploration or sale of minerals
Commercial Extraction
:
Extraction of common-use minerals
(sand, gravel, landscaping rock) requires a permit or contract.
Petrified Wood
Unless otherwise specified, you may collect up to 25 pounds plus one piece of petrified wood per day, to a maximum of 250 pounds per person per year. Permits or contracts are required for pieces over 250 pounds. You may not trade, barter, or sell the petrified wood you collect without a contract from the BLM. For more information, see
43 CFR Part 3620 -- Free Use of Petrified Wood
.
Fossils
Common Invertebrates
: Recreational fossil collectors may gather common invertebrate fossils (e.g., trilobites, mollusks) in reasonable quantities for personal use only (no selling or bartering). Exceptions exist for areas with site-specific sensitivities, so check before you collect and follow posted signs.
Vertebrates and Uncommon Invertebrates
: Only permitted researchers may collect vertebrate fossils (dinosaurs, mammals, fish, reptiles) or uncommon invertebrate / plant fossils, as per the
Paleontological Resources Preservation Act.
For more information, see
43 CFR Part 49 -- Paleontological Resources Preservation
or our
Can I collect fossils?
page.
Cultural Materials
Under the
Archaeological Resources Protection Act
, it is illegal to remove, damage, disturb, or excavate cultural items without a permit. Examples of prohibited items include:
Projectile points and stone tools
Pottery, beads, baskets
Historic bottles, metal tools, horseshoes
Historic structures and sites (cabins, mills, graves, railroads, townsites)
Only modern money may be collected—not historic coins or artifacts.
Cave Resources
Caves that are determined to be "significant" may not be disturbed, as per
43 CFR Part 37 -- Cave Management
.