Can I Keep This?
A distinguishing feature of many BLM‑managed public lands is that visitors are welcome to collect certain natural items for their own personal enjoyment. The guidance provided below is generalized for all BLM lands, but some areas have stricter limits due to specific sensitivities. In addition, Alaska has a unique Subsistence Program which follows a different set of rules.
When in doubt, check first! Local BLM offices can provide maps, permits, and area‑specific rules. Whenever and whatever you are collecting, be sure to practice responsible outdoor ethics.
Forest and Wood Products
You may collect reasonable amounts of the following (non‑commercial only):
- Firewood for Campfires: You may collect dead and down wood for immediate campfire use unless campfire restrictions are in place. This is also true for Wilderness Areas. Please check local fire restrictions in advance and follow posted signs.
- Firewood for Heating: Personal‑use firewood permits (usually up to four cords for a small fee) are available in some areas — check with your local BLM office.
- Plants and Fungi: Small amounts of plants, seeds, berries, flowers, nuts, cones, and mushrooms may be collected for personal use in most areas. You may not collect plants that are:
- Federally Threatened or Endangered
- BLM special status species
- Listed as protected by your state
- Christmas Trees: Permits for cutting a Christmas tree (for a nominal fee) are available seasonally in designated areas – check with your local BLM office.
Commercial Harvest of plant materials (e.g., seeds, transplants, timber) requires a permit or contract. See our Forest Product Permits page for details.
Minerals
- Recreational Collecting and Rockhounding: You may prospect with hand tools (pans, shovels, metal detectors) for gold, silver, gemstones, etc., with the following exceptions:
- Wilderness: In federally designated Wilderness Areas and Wilderness Study Areas, only non-motorized hand tools may be utilized, and the surface may only be minimally disturbed.
- Mining Claims: Minerals on active mining claims belong to the claim holder; you must obtain their permission.
- Activities requiring BLM authorization:
- Suction dredges with intake >4 inches
- Mechanized equipment or explosives
- Any commercial exploration or sale of minerals
- Commercial Extraction: Extraction of common-use minerals (sand, gravel, landscaping rock) requires a permit or contract.
Petrified Wood
- Unless otherwise specified, you may collect up to 25 pounds plus one piece of petrified wood per day, to a maximum of 250 pounds per person per year. Permits or contracts are required for pieces over 250 pounds. You may not trade, barter, or sell the petrified wood you collect without a contract from the BLM. For more information, see 43 CFR Part 3620 -- Free Use of Petrified Wood.
Fossils
- Common Invertebrates: Recreational fossil collectors may gather common invertebrate fossils (e.g., trilobites, mollusks) in reasonable quantities for personal use only (no selling or bartering). Exceptions exist for areas with site-specific sensitivities, so check before you collect and follow posted signs.
Vertebrates and Uncommon Invertebrates: Only permitted researchers may collect vertebrate fossils (dinosaurs, mammals, fish, reptiles) or uncommon invertebrate / plant fossils, as per the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act.
For more information, see 43 CFR Part 49 -- Paleontological Resources Preservation or our Can I collect fossils? page.
Cultural Materials
Under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, it is illegal to remove, damage, disturb, or excavate cultural items without a permit. Examples of prohibited items include:
- Projectile points and stone tools
- Pottery, beads, baskets
- Historic bottles, metal tools, horseshoes
- Historic structures and sites (cabins, mills, graves, railroads, townsites)
Only modern money may be collected—not historic coins or artifacts.
Cave Resources
Caves that are determined to be "significant" may not be disturbed, as per 43 CFR Part 37 -- Cave Management.