The federal mineral record holds 13,716 entries for Utah — 9,078 mines that shipped ore, 867 prospects that never became mines, 3,493 recorded occurrences. Below it: 8 places where you can legally collect.
Mineral history, not an invitation. This mineral history comes from a federal record of historic mines, prospects, and occurrences. It is not a list of places to collect. Historic mine sites are usually on private land, under active mining claims, or unsafe to enter — and often all three. The places you can actually collect are in the legal-access directory below.
The commodities that drew miners and prospectors to Utah, by number of historic records:
Uranium · 3,566Copper · 2,391Silver · 2,276Lead · 2,183Gold · 1,559Zinc · 1,186Vanadium · 1,038Iron · 760
Records from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System, a legacy federal database last revised August 2022 and no longer updated.
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
UT
obsidiansnowflake obsidianmahogany obsidian
Public land, rules apply · Free · Year-round on a dry road. From the west edge of Delta, 4.3 miles west on US 6/50 to State Highway 257, then about 43 miles south to a BLM sign reading 'Kanosh 26,' then roughly 6 miles east on dirt. UGS suggests four-wheel drive but does not require it. No water, no shade, no services.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
UT
geodesquartz crystalsamethyst
BLM collecting area · Free · 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.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
UT
smoky quartzmicrocline feldsparlimonite pseudomorphs after pyrite
Public land, rules apply · Free · 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.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
UT
sunstone (labradorite)basalt
State-designated locality · Free · Year-round, with easy access off State Highway 257. From the west edge of Delta, 4.3 miles west on US 6/50 to Highway 257, then about 13.4 miles south to a marked entrance just before mile marker 56, then east on dirt. Spring and fall are pleasant; the flats have no shade at all in summer.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
UT
topazpink topazbixbyite
Fee dig · Fee · Scheduled year-round. Daytime tours generally run 9 am to 5 pm daily and evening or night tours roughly 5 pm to 10 pm. Private tours should be booked at least two weeks in advance, though the operators will check earlier availability on request. Weather in the Thomas Range can cancel a date.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Topaz Mountain Rockhound Recreation Area
UT
topazbixbyitered beryl
BLM collecting area · Free · Open year-round. Spring and fall are best; summer in the west desert is punishing and winter storms make the last dirt miles rough. BLM notes there are no facilities in the area at all — no water, no services, no toilets.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
UT
elrathia kingii trilobitesasaphiscus trilobitesperonopsis trilobites
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal · 2026 season runs March 30 through October 24, Monday through Saturday, closed Sundays and closed on the 4th of July. Pre-season dates March 20-21 and March 27-28; post-season Fridays and Saturdays on October 30, November 7 and November 14. Gate opens at 9 am and closes by 6 pm; evening diggers must arrive by 3:45 pm to be out by close.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
UT
wonderstone (banded rhyolitic tuff)iron oxides
State-designated locality · Free · Spring through fall. From Tooele, about 31 miles south on Highway 36 toward Vernon, then 4.5 miles further, north onto a dirt road beside the railroad tracks for 1.7 miles, then 0.4 mile to the end of the road. UGS recommends four-wheel drive and warns the road can be muddy depending on weather. Summer is open and shadeless.
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
GoldSilverCopperQuartz CrystalsGeodesGarnetsFluoriteBerylOpalGemstones
Yes — at places that allow it. This page lists 8 in Utah: fee digs, designated collecting areas, and official localities, each checked against its source. Everywhere else, legality depends on who owns the land and what rules apply. Before any trip: check land ownership and current mining claims, get permission, respect closures, and never enter old mine workings.
Treat Utah's historic mines as history, not destinations. Most sit on private land or active mining claims, and old workings are dangerous even to walk. The mineral record on this page tells you what the ground holds — the directory tells you where you are welcome to look for it.