Devils Head Area, Pike National Forest
Sedalia, Colorado
topazamazonitesmoky quartzmicrocline
Public land, rules apply · Free
Devils Head Area, Pike National Forest
Pikes Peak granite around Devils Head weathers into pockets holding sherry-to-blue topaz, blue-green amazonite, and smoky quartz - the classic Colorado combination. Forest Service rules allow small personal-use hand collecting here, but the same brochure lists what is closed: wilderness, campgrounds, administrative sites, historical and archaeological sites, Wild and Scenic River corridors, ground withdrawn from mineral entry such as Pikes Peak itself, and any active claim. Check claims at reports.blm.gov/reports/MLRS first, and refill every hole you open.
The card catalog
| What you can find | topaz, amazonite, smoky quartz, microcline |
|---|---|
| Access | Public land, rules apply — Free |
| Fees | No fee. The Forest Service PSICC brochure states rockhounding with little or no surface disturbance needs no permit or Notice of Intent, though a free use permit may be required for removal of mineral materials. Check with the South Platte Ranger District at (303) 275-5610. |
| Season & hours | Roughly late May through October. The Rampart Range roads are rough, seasonally gated, and often hold snow into spring. |
| Kids | Better for experienced collectors — The Devils Head lookout trail is a fine family hike, but the collecting itself means rough forest roads, hours of screening decomposed granite, and knowing exactly whose claim you are not standing on. |
| Official source | USDA Forest Service - Rockhounding, Prospecting, and Fossil Hunting on the PSICC (June 2019) |
| 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 Devils Head Area, Pike National Forest cost?
No fee. The Forest Service PSICC brochure states rockhounding with little or no surface disturbance needs no permit or Notice of Intent, though a free use permit may be required for removal of mineral materials. Check with the South Platte Ranger District at (303) 275-5610. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Devils Head Area, Pike National Forest open?
Roughly late May through October. The Rampart Range roads are rough, seasonally gated, and often hold snow into spring. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Devils Head Area, Pike National Forest good for kids?
Devils Head Area, Pike National Forest is better suited to experienced collectors than young kids. The Devils Head lookout trail is a fine family hike, but the collecting itself means rough forest roads, hours of screening decomposed granite, and knowing exactly whose claim you are not standing on.