Rockhounding on Public Lands
BLM’s regulations (43 CFR 8365.1-5(b)(2)) generally allow members of the public to collect reasonable amounts of nonrenewable resources such as rocks, mineral specimens, and semiprecious gemstones for noncommercial purposes on BLM-managed public lands. Noncommercial means that the collector is not selling the items for a business or financial gain. Such collection is generally not allowed, however, in certain areas, such as on developed recreation sites, where there are active mining claims or other authorized mineral uses, or on lands where the mineral estate is owned privately.
Learn more about Rockhounding by reading our FAQs or visiting the links below to download rockhounding guides and to explore rockhounding areas offered by the BLM.
A Guide to Collecting on Public Lands
State Rockhounding Guides:
Rockhounding Areas:
- Arizona Black Hills Rockhound Area
- Arizona Round Mountain Rockhound Area
- California Wiley Well Geode Beds
- California Chambless Rock Collecting Area
- California Savahia Peak Rock Collecting Area
- Nevada Garnet Hill
- Oregon Sunstone Collection Area
- Utah Dugway Geode Beds
- Utah Topaz Mountain Rockhound Recreation Area
Have Questions?
Contact your local BLM office regarding applicable laws, policies or resource management restrictions that may limit or prohibit rock collection for noncommercial purposes.
Get started by watching this video