Rock Corral Canyon
Utah
smoky quartzmicrocline feldsparlimonite pseudomorphs after pyritegranite
Public land, rules apply · Free
Rock Corral Canyon
Coarse pegmatitic veins in the Mineral Mountains granite east of Milford open into vugs where smoky quartz grew up to three inches long alongside blocky microcline averaging about three-quarters of an inch. The trick, as the Utah Geological Survey describes it, is to find where quartz and feldspar are easily visible as coarse veins and then look closely for the cavities, rather than attacking the granite at random. Occasional limonite pseudomorphs after pyrite are a bonus find, and safety glasses are not optional when you are breaking granite.
The card catalog
| What you can find | smoky quartz, microcline feldspar, limonite pseudomorphs after pyrite, granite |
|---|---|
| Access | Public land, rules apply — Free |
| Fees | Free; BLM public land, published by the Utah Geological Survey as an open collecting site. Personal, non-commercial use only. |
| Season & hours | Spring through fall. From Milford, travel 0.7 mile south of the railroad tracks on State Route 21, turn east and continue 5.4 miles to an intersection, take the left fork 1.2 miles, then keep right 2.7 miles to the first outcrop. The road is paved a short distance and then turns to sand, which goes soft after storms; the canyon sits at elevation in the Mineral Mountains, so plan around winter weather. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — There is a picnic area at Rock Corral Canyon, which makes it an easy half-day outing. The payoff needs patience, a hammer and a chisel, so bring a backup activity for kids who lose interest. |
| Official source | Utah Geological Survey, The Rockhounder |
| 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 Rock Corral Canyon cost?
Free; BLM public land, published by the Utah Geological Survey as an open collecting site. Personal, non-commercial use only. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Rock Corral Canyon open?
Spring through fall. From Milford, travel 0.7 mile south of the railroad tracks on State Route 21, turn east and continue 5.4 miles to an intersection, take the left fork 1.2 miles, then keep right 2.7 miles to the first outcrop. The road is paved a short distance and then turns to sand, which goes soft after storms; the canyon sits at elevation in the Mineral Mountains, so plan around winter weather. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Rock Corral Canyon good for kids?
Yes — Rock Corral Canyon works for families. There is a picnic area at Rock Corral Canyon, which makes it an easy half-day outing. The payoff needs patience, a hammer and a chisel, so bring a backup activity for kids who lose interest.