Dugway Geode Beds
Utah
geodesquartz crystalsamethystrose quartzchalcedony
BLM collecting area · Free
Dugway Geode Beds
Rhyolite in Utah's west desert filled with gas cavities that grew quartz linings, and ancient Lake Bonneville later eroded them free and reburied them in soft lake sediment, which is why you dig geodes out of dirt here instead of chiseling them from rock. BLM says most run 2 to 4 inches, look dark gray and spherical, and open to clear rock crystal, purple amethyst or pink rose quartz, and it points collectors to previously excavated areas and the soft gray material as the productive ground. Work an old pit, stay out of undercut walls, and do not tunnel.
The card catalog
| What you can find | geodes, quartz crystals, amethyst, rose quartz, chalcedony |
|---|---|
| Access | BLM collecting area — Free |
| Fees | Free; BLM requires no permit. Dispersed camping is the norm out here and there are no facilities, no water and no toilets. |
| Season & hours | Year-round in dry weather only. BLM's route runs roughly 85 miles from Salt Lake City via I-80 west and State Highway 36, following the historic Pony Express Trail, with the final stretch on unimproved road that turns to grease after rain or snowmelt. No services, no water, no cell coverage — carry a working spare. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Cracking your first geode open is a memory that sticks, and the digging is soft enough for kids with a hand shovel. BLM states flatly that tunneling is unsafe and not permitted, so keep children out from under any undercut face. |
| Official source | Bureau of Land Management, Fillmore 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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sunstone (labradorite), basalt
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topaz, pink topaz, bixbyite
Before you go
What does Dugway Geode Beds cost?
Free; BLM requires no permit. Dispersed camping is the norm out here and there are no facilities, no water and no toilets. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Dugway Geode Beds open?
Year-round in dry weather only. BLM's route runs roughly 85 miles from Salt Lake City via I-80 west and State Highway 36, following the historic Pony Express Trail, with the final stretch on unimproved road that turns to grease after rain or snowmelt. No services, no water, no cell coverage — carry a working spare. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Dugway Geode Beds good for kids?
Yes — Dugway Geode Beds works for families. Cracking your first geode open is a memory that sticks, and the digging is soft enough for kids with a hand shovel. BLM states flatly that tunneling is unsafe and not permitted, so keep children out from under any undercut face.