The federal mineral record holds 11,081 entries for Washington — 4,834 mines that shipped ore, 1,881 prospects that never became mines, 3,097 recorded occurrences. Below it: 3 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 Washington, by number of historic records:
Gold · 3,481Silver · 3,100Copper · 2,511Lead · 1,861Zinc · 1,308Iron · 378Manganese · 346Molybdenum · 331
Records from the USGS Mineral Resources Data System, a legacy federal database last revised August 2022 and no longer updated.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.
Saddle Mountains Petrified Wood Area
Mattawa, WA
petrified woodagatized woodopalized wood
Public land, rules apply · Free · spring and fall are best; BLM notes snow and rain occasionally close the gravel and dirt roads, and summer fire restrictions apply. Camping is free with a 14-day limit
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Stonerose Interpretive Center Fossil Site
Republic, WA
eocene plant fossilsfossil leavesfossil insects
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal · open for the 2026 season; interpretive center and gift shop run Tuesday-Sunday 8am-5pm, closed Mondays. Exact Boot Hill dig-site dates and hours are not posted on the fee page — call 509-775-2295 to confirm before traveling. Wildfire smoke advisories are posted in late summer
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
Mount Vernon, WA
quartz geodesamethyst geodeschalcedony
Club open dig · Free with permit · open year-round when roads allow; the access road is gated, so park clear of the road and walk around the gate — the collecting ground is less than 250 feet in. Logging operations and DNR road work close the approach periodically, so check with the Mineral Council before driving out
Checked against its source August 16, 2026
GoldSilverCopperQuartz CrystalsAgatesGeodesGarnetsFluoriteBerylOpalPetrified WoodGemstones
Yes — at places that allow it. This page lists 3 in Washington: 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 Washington'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.