Black Hills Rockhound Area
Arizona
fire agatechalcedonyagatejasperquartz
BLM collecting area · Free
Black Hills Rockhound Area
BLM set this ground aside on the north side of US 191 about 18 miles north of Safford specifically for rockhounds, and it is one of a handful of places on earth where fire agate turns up in quantity. BLM describes the stone as a relatively new gem, only formally recognized in the 1930s, carrying the color play of precious opal in gem-quality reds, greens and blues; the flash only shows when you wet a specimen and tilt it into the sun, so bring a spray bottle. Access is easiest near milepost 141, and the two-week camping allowance makes a multi-day hunt practical.
The card catalog
| What you can find | fire agate, chalcedony, agate, jasper, quartz |
|---|---|
| Access | BLM collecting area — Free |
| Fees | Free; BLM requires no fee or permit for digging here. Camping throughout the area is allowed for up to two weeks. |
| Season & hours | Open year-round, but BLM itself notes summer temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, and there is no shade and no water. October-November and March-May are the working season; early morning otherwise. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Fire agate hunting is slow, squinting, close-to-the-ground work that some kids love and others abandon in ten minutes. There is no water, no shade and no toilet, so pack accordingly and plan a short day. |
| Official source | Bureau of Land Management, Safford Field Office |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Black Hills Rockhound Area cost?
Free; BLM requires no fee or permit for digging here. Camping throughout the area is allowed for up to two weeks. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Black Hills Rockhound Area open?
Open year-round, but BLM itself notes summer temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, and there is no shade and no water. October-November and March-May are the working season; early morning otherwise. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Black Hills Rockhound Area good for kids?
Yes — Black Hills Rockhound Area works for families. Fire agate hunting is slow, squinting, close-to-the-ground work that some kids love and others abandon in ten minutes. There is no water, no shade and no toilet, so pack accordingly and plan a short day.