Apache Tears, properly known as black obsidian (Ruby Mountain in Chaffee County), were named for the Indian legend that they are the petrified tears of Apache women mourning the slaughter of their men in battle. They can provide you with maps of the area as well as tips on where to find interesting specimens. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Colorado has several varieties of metals, minerals, and fossils along waterways. This is a beautiful, often transparent blue-green stone. Next, get the most recently published guide to rock hounding in Colorado that describes the sites and includes directions and maps. The ownership and status of land can and does change frequently, making it impossible to document accurate information on this page. Be careful when buying rocks online, the internet is full of fake rocks and minerals. amzn_assoc_asins = "B01IEX2TEO,B0002YWWVE,B08N41884X,B01CV1XW5K"; Important Disclaimer: I have not been to these locations myself, and I do not know if they are currently open for collecting. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. BTW: Check out this amazing metal sign (Amazon link) which is perfect for everyone who loves rockhounding in Colorado! Colorado can get very cold during the winter months. 1 Bath. A Storage Place GJ East. Colorado Canyons Hospital & Medical Center. Salida - Sitting southwest of Denver, Salida was a well known quarry and mining area. Handies Peak, which rises Colorado Cultural Resources. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. I soon found out that due to the many little side trails heading towards the top of the hill I missed the correct turn off and ended up finding myself at a dead end. If youve already found a rock and youre not sure what it is, I would highly recommend checking out my Practical Rock Identification System. Once at the top I decided to follow the ridgeline back to where it connects to the main trail toward the north rather than go back down to the bottom of the hill. Dinosaur Ridge Trail. Let me know if I can help and we will be out there soon to hunt those rocks. But that doesnt mean that gold and silver are all you are going to find here. This is a good late spring or fall hike, this time of year it is pretty barren and dry in this area and the temperatures can get pretty high not to mention during the summer months the gnats can be really bad. You can get the landowners name and address by visiting the county records office. Home | Site Map | User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Contact. As always, take care never to go underground when searching. You will find the adventure and the challenge of finding the gems hidden inside an ordinary rock far outweighs the amount of effort you need to put into planning your trip. You might need to work to find your geodes, as you will probably need to dig to find unbroken pieces. At this point I took a small marked side trail that led me to the summit of the hill. Later high-quality diamonds of over 13 carats were found in the area. Here are a few fee mining sites in Colorado: For those more serious gem hunters, if you plan to make a day of it wandering over mountains and through parks, a small shovel and pickaxe will help you find treasures. As rocks, minerals, and organic material rests in pools of water, they become enjoined and form sedimentary rock. The trail began by climbing a short distance then leveling out. $1,950 /mo. I know Douglas pass well and could tell you how to get to a oil location or two that are close to the highway. Better quality then what he us showing. Morrison, Colorado. All you need is a map, a sense of adventure, and maybe a pickaxe and a shovel. Be safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect specimens. In much of the world, the 1993 blockbuster movie "Jurassic Park" and its unending sequels have become synonymous with the word "dinosaur.". Colorado is an excellent place for beginner and expert rock hounds alike. Diamonds in Colorado have had an interesting history. Some of the more high profile include dinosaur fossils, petrified wood, amazonite, flourite, and even aquamarine. The surface management agency is different depending on the location of the mineral deposit. Rockhounding andrecreational gold panning are generallyconsideredrecreational activities. If you travel four miles west of Wolf Creek Pass, you will discover an outcrop of zeolite. Man i am kicking myself. The site has received an overall rating of eight out of 10 from collectors. But, hey, you dont know whats going to turn up when youre out in the woods. This gem was named the state mineral of Colorado in 2002. The middle fork of the river has proven particularly fruitful. I continued following the trail as it continued around the base of the hill as it made its way towards the Devils Canyon trailhead which supplies another access point to the opal hill trail. Through quite a bit of research and cross-referencing of available literature, I have compiled this list of some prospective locations in Colorado which I would recommend to people looking to do some rockhounding. It is a beautiful, clear gem but does not have the popularity of other gems because it doesnt have the desired brilliance. brief history of Colorados geographic activity, Mount Antero, Mount White, and Mount Princeton, Sherman Tunnel Mine and Leadville Mining District, Rock-A-Holics: Columbine Gem and Mineral Society, host field trips in the mountains and have a yearly mineral auction, Western Interior Paleontological Society Denver, Colorado, Northern region. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. The Four Corners Gem and Mineral Club meet on the first Monday of every month. This parking lot supplies yet another access point for the trail. The opaque, blue-green amazonite is nestled in the dark quartz crystal. It can, however, be easily shaped into beads and jewelry pieces. Gems of all types are everywhere. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Modern Rockhounding and Prospecting Handbook $19.73 A must have for every serious rockhound! Big Dogs Allowed. Pediatric Dental Specialists of Western Colorado. Exploring Green River And Its Contribution To The Cold War. When you hold a gem in your hand, you are holding a piece of the Earths history. Nowadays you are fairly lucky to find any of the opal just lying around, the hill has been thoroughly picked through over the past years. On the northwest side of opal hill there is a semicircular depression. Visit Fremont Culture petroglyphs and imagine what it was like to live here about 1000 years ago. These are areas designated for rock hunters to pan for gold or look around and dig for gems. They dont allow guests on their field trips, so youll want to pay $15 for an annual membership! If you want to travel and explore safely, you should check out the various rock clubs and societies! Wolf Creek Pass: US 160, also known as Wolf Creek Pass, can be a challenging drive. The Colorado Mineral Society hosts meetings on the first Friday of every month. The area around Denver, particularly west into Jefferson County, is a fantastic destination for rockhounds. Not white or Grey my dude. Still, there are many locations in Mineral County where one can hope to find amethyst, agates, geodes, moonstone, and plenty of other minerals. Rocks and minerals flowed downstream through the rivers and streams, some eventually landing on the flat plains and mesas found in the deserts of Colorado. Me at Dinosaur Ridge in 2005. Nice video. For those that want adventure with a little more guidance, there are mines and quarries that allow you to dig for gems and pan for gold. But before you set off for the Centennial State, there are a few things you'll need to familiarize yourself with. Rockhounding Colorado: Opal Hill 30,049 views Aug 10, 2017 Went to Opal Hill in Fruita, Co. for a short rockhounding trip. Telephone: 303-239-3600 Photo: Zach Dischner. Colorado offers an abundance of minerals, gemstones, crystals and fossils to anyone willing to go out and look for them. BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? Houselog Creek usually offers its diggers great rewards, so be sure to take your digging tools and large buckets for your haul. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; The middle fork of the river has proven particularly fruitful. You dont want to go rock hunting on someones private lands. how to add father to birth certificate virginia; reading phillies buffet; who plays doug's wife in the liberty mutual commercial. Rockhounding in Mineral County The following information provided by and courtesy of Charles V. Downing. Here are some highlights from the BLM guidelines: Just as a side note, you cannot collect Native American or historical artifacts. Iv been a stoner since I was 3 years old. Colorado's Salable Mineral Materials program produced 346,406 cubic yards of mineral materials such as sand, gravel, and stone with a value of $370,856 in fiscal year 2015. I was thinking the trail would branch off and one go to the lake and the other on around opal hill. $1,950 /mo. You Can But, Dinosaur bones, gold, petrified wood, and more. No hunting required. Easily apply. When the mountains of Colorado were formed, they pushed these bits and pieces of history before recorded time to the surface, where we can dig for them now. Some of the best places for different rock varieties are broken down in the chart below: Its one of the larger states in the Midwest and experiences extreme weather changes between summer and winter! The number of gems and minerals you can find here is only rivaled by the number of stones you can find in California. You Can But, Best Shovels, Brushes, Sample Bags & More for Rockhounding, Feldspar vs. Quartz: Whats the Difference? Houselog Creek: Houselog Creek is located in Saguache County at a distance of 12 miles from Saguache. BLM Colorado offers a variety of GIS data sets for download and as web Colorado Peaks. Rockhounding Colorado: Opal Hill By admin | April 19, 2021 | 26 . We'll keep you updated on news and events. As a CMS member said after finding a lode of geodes, It gives me a funny feeling, knowing how long theyve been here waiting for me to find them.. Topaz is the November birthstone. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; You are allowed to collect up to 25 pounds of specimens per day or 250 pounds a year. Went to Opal Hill in Fruita, Co. for a short rockhounding trip. The Colorado landscape has changed dramatically in the last 10 years, with public lands becoming private, claims being staked and roads leading to closed gates. Name Email Subscribe. W of Gold Camp Rd & High Drive, Below road of Eureka Tunnel, W side of stream, Colorado River valley & side canyons W of Grand Junction, Willow Creek, many mines (mostly private now, get permission), Rockhounding on Public Land: Laws and Regulations, Can You Collect Rocks in State Parks? 5 Fruita CO Homes for Rent. If you do have time for a field trip, though, they host field trips in the Spring and Fall. A brief history of Colorados geographic activity is listed below: Safety is the greatest concern when rock hunting in the region. Fruita, CO has emerged in recent years as a sweet alternative to Moab, UT for those traveling from Colorado's front range. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Amethyst geodes, Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Moonstone, Quartz crystals. Pinterest. 2+ Pets Allowed. Traveling with a group is the best way to stay safe rock hunting in Colorado. Actinolite, Almandine, Azurite, Beryle, Chrysocolla, Epidote, Kyanite, Pyrite, Quartz crystals, Tourmaline, etc. These spots have heavy deposits thanks to modern and ancient water flows. Fruita, CO Real Estate & Homes For Sale Sort: New Listings 117 homes NEW - 2 DAYS AGO $439,900 3bd 2ba 1,925 sqft 250 Vista Valley Dr, Fruita, CO 81521 REAL ESTATE WEST, GJARA 18.08 ACRES $1,260,000 1554 River Rd, Fruita, CO 81521 CBRE - DELTA, GJARA 2.83 ACRES $785,000 4bd 4ba 3,413 sqft (on 2.83 acres) 1224 Aqua Ct, Fruita, CO 81521 I hope my articles will be useful to you. Follow this guide and discover the perfect gem. Adventure Fest. Silverrecyclers.com is a participant in various affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.This is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. Hey man I found something strange in the mountains here in Colorado.. is there a way I can send you a picture through email or something and Maybe you can help me figure out what it is. Once youve found a good spot to start rockhounding, its time to start collecting! Fruita is an artsy, Western Slope town neighboring Grand Junction to the west. The best rockhounding locations in Colorado are: Mt. Start with the BLM website and other online resources to get an idea of where you can and cant go. Fruita: The Real "Jurassic Park". It is near the Golden Gate Canyon state park, but you can only hunt for gems in the road cuts. If you keep an eye out and you know what you are looking for, gems and minerals are plentiful enough in some areas that you might find some on a laidback hike through the woods. We have all seen movies where the prospector has a pan that he puts in the stream and shakes around to find gold or gems at the bottom of his pan. Fruita Tourism Colorado National Monument J.M. But wait! how to add father to birth certificate virginia; reading phillies buffet; who plays doug's wife in the liberty mutual commercial. The beauty of Colorados landscape makes it the perfect place to dig for gems if you know where and how to find them. These are mostly comprised of old mining prospects, streams, and historically known rock and mineral collecting sites. This area freezes during the colder months so the rock collecting season is only about four months. As a result, Colorado calls itself the Silver State. The quarry's opening hours vary depending on the time of year, but it's generally open from 10 am to 5 pm during the summer months. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS I went for a walk today.. in TOWN, and Found 3 what resemble rose quartz crystals, and some regular looking crystals(unsure) and one (what i think are crystals but I need someone with more knowledge to help me Id them) I have this one piece with a silver flakey metallic looking chunk sticking out.. and one rose quartz looking stone thats more of a light light lavander tint.. $15 - $20 an hour. is 6.0%). Golden Gate Canyon is rich in common minerals such as mica and feldspar. Gems, then, are the flowers of the minerals that have ornamental value because of their beauty, durability and, occasionally, some degree of rarity. The earliest discovery of gold in the river dates all the way back to 1859. While you wont be digging in many mines, bring shovels and tools for digging. On top of that, weve created a resource page to assist with answering all of your gem and mineral collecting questions. A locations listing here is not a guarantee of accuracy. To get to Wolf Creek Pass, the driver must be wide-awake as the road can deceive you. You could just zip up your backpack and go, but that could cause some problems. It is the responsibility of each rockhound to obtain permission from a landowner to search and/or collect on a piece of property. You dont have to go to the top but I would recommend it for the views. Garo Park in Park County, still plentiful in blue agate and jasper, was the site of the last Ute Indian battle. Fruita is famous for its top-tier mountain biking, so there are plenty of places to choose from when looking for a good ride near town. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It was formed by the erosion of sedimentary rocks. Now that you have an idea of what gems you can dig for in Colorado, you need to go find them. The Bureau of Land Management has established some rules to ensure people respect property boundaries and nature. Meanwhile, sedimentary rocks form due to significant water deposits. A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid, and has its own characteristic crystalline structure. Hello, I live in Rangely Colorado and was hoping that maybe you could assist my wife and I with places we could rockhound around our area. Once this happens, theres no turning back. 432 East Aspen Ave., Fruita, CO 81521 970-858-3894 With beautiful landscapes, a wide variety of recreation for all seasons, and so many local businesses to explore, Fruita is truly a unique place. Chaffee County is home to many old mining prospects, making it a prime destination for rockhounds. If youre prospecting on Devils Head Mountain (Douglas County) in August, youll join millions of ladybugs for their annual gathering on the summit. Many promising locations are difficult to access without a capable vehicle. National monuments are not. This means that those hoping to visit will have to do so during set hours. Mount Antero is so rich in valuable minerals that you can expect success just a couple of feet from the mountain's base. Youll never know what youll find though. However, the mountain range is somewhat dangerous in winter, and you should avoid rock hunting. 2980 North Avenue, CO 81504. Rocks are the history books of ancient geologic times. Minerals found in the area include fluorite, quartz, calcite, zeolite, and aquamarine. They also host field trips to various mineral-rich sites all over the State! Unfortunately for rockhounds, the law prohibits them from publishing their names or contact information online. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Sometimes telling where the property lines begin, and where they end is difficult. Rockhounding is a great hobby for people of all ages. Here is a basic list of what you should take if you are going to do some more serious gem hunting: TIP:If you are looking for new rockhounding equipment or you need to replace your old one, check out my article on recommended equipment for rockhounding:The Complete Guide: All Tools You Need for Rockhounding. So, what kind of gems can you dig for in Colorado? WEATHER & CLIMATE Robb CO River State Park Highline Lake State Park Colorado Canyons Association Dinosaur Journey Museum Rim Rock Adventures Colorado Welcome Center Over The Edge Sports Colorado Backcountry Biker Judy's Family Restaurant Restaurants Family Style Restaurants Take Out Restaurants 21 YEARS IN BUSINESS Amenities: (970) 858-8351 435 Highway 6 And 50 Fruita, CO 81521 $ CLOSED NOW 6. Colorado Mostly videos finding cool rocks and gold, rockhounding digging learning and sharing. You will find everything about rocks, minerals, and crystals here. The earliest discovery of gold in the river dates all the way back to 1859. For examples of rocks and minerals that occur in our region, its a good idea to visit a rock shop. We hope you enjoy your time on our site and come back often because were always adding new dig locations and crystal collecting updates. Once theyre clean, you can put them on display or add them to your rock collection! On the northern edge of that the opals litter the ground. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. They include limestone, granite, sandstone and shale, as well as gravel beds, clay and even can you believe? Colorado ranks among the most strongly mineralized areas in the world, and its especially noted for alabaster, amethyst, lapis lazuli (blue sapphire), topaz and turquoise. Taking rocks from national research areas or historic sites could land you in a lot of trouble. This will help you avoid damaging the specimens. May 21, 2020 - Went to Opal Hill in Fruita, Co. for a short rockhounding trip. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; View 139 homes for sale in Fruita, CO at a median listing home price of $380,000. Specimens of calcite, agate, quartz, topaz, diamond, gold, and more can be found in the mountains and mining prospects surrounding Fort Collins. Remember gems are hidden in layers of ordinary-looking rock. Try these popular searches. Although the opal is not the colorful gemstone variety the opal found here can still be polished up to be quite nice. Colorado's Non-Energy Leasable Mineral Materialsprogram has eight sodium leases and oneoil shale research, development and demonstrationlease. Use this resource as a guide to get you started. They host tours through mountain paths and valleys, which increases the diversity of rocks to collect. We're going to be covering all of these aspects in our article. West Alameda Parkway traverses the Dakota Hogback, which has locally been renamed "Dinosaur Ridge" by . There is a lot of Opalized Wood up top, and Pigeon Blood Agate pieces everywhere on the other side at the bottom of the hill.i have pictures of it on my Instagram page: Rock.Hounding.Adventures. The population was 11,535 at the 2008 census. Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home), Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids), Real vs. Rock-hound fever has struck. Went to Opal Hill in Fruita, Co. for a short rockhounding trip. Colorados state mineral is rhodochrosite (well-known areas are near Alma). The best piece of equipment you will need when you dig for gems is a guidebook. Where you choose to go rock hunting in Colorado depends heavily on the types of rock you seek. Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 39 8.856'N , 108 44.796'W TrailSpecs View OpalHillHike.kmz in a larger map Opal Hill is located just South of Fruita Colorado and near the Horse thief State Wildlife Area. When you going to dig the amethyst you mentioned in that Mica Mine video? The South Platte River is one of Colorado's most popular sites for gold prospecting. Also State of Washington..I have many diff rocks..some from St Helens and Mt Rainer. However, here are a few places to begin. It is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. And rocks are the preservers of fossils that once lived when Colorado was a vast sea. A 2-for-1 gem, amazonite, and smoky quartz are often found together. A good place to start is your local state park or forest service office. Since then, Colorado has been known for its rich gold and silver reserves. And one of the best resources is membership in the Colorado Mineral Society (CMS). The shorter drive times and wide variety of trail options makes it a great family spot. If you are interested in checking out the best book about rockhounding in Colorado you can find it by clickinghere(Amazon link). Mr Williams Geology Trail (Opal Hill Section). Its a great way to get outdoors, explore new places, and learn about geological history. Redlands Mesa Golf Club. Fascinating minerals can be found throughout the state's rivers, mountains, cities, and towns. fire in fruita, colorado today; meghan markle curtsy video; mary berry honey cake. Allanite, Astrophyllite, Epidote, Garnets, Hyalite Opal, Hornblende, Magnetite, Sphene, etc. May 21, 2020 - Went to Opal Hill in Fruita, Co. for a short rockhounding trip. Visit us for an hour or half-a-day and experience the wonder of discovering ancient treasures hidden in the layers of shale. I know Douglas pass well and could tell you how to get to a oil . Food & Drink; Shopping; Lodging; Events; Things To Do. (Public Room, general inquires, land status records, maps) If you want to know more about rockhounding in Colorado or you prefer paper books, I recommend buying the book Rockhounding Colorado: A Guide to the States Best Rockhounding Sites. Rhodochrosite is a deep red to pink stone. Posted in CO Mines. amzn_assoc_title = "Some of my favorite rockhounding gear from Amazon:"; 18 Hours of Fruita. Alluvial deposits are the runoff from the minerals up in the mountains that flow down into the rivers and creeks. North Italian Mountain and Crested Butte, All over, but Mariposa County is the best place. Rockhounding Colorado: Opal Hill. Mineral deposits made the Rocky Mountains famous. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment. Fruita, CO 81521 Email agent Brokered by The Christi Reece Group New For Sale $380,000 3 bed 2 bath 1,404 sqft 5,227 sqft lot 255 Westwater Cir, Fruita, CO 81521 Email agent Brokered by. Gold, rockhounding digging learning and sharing examples of rocks to collect up to 25 pounds of per... Mineral-Rich sites all over the state mineral is a semicircular depression the way back to 1859 youll to! Enjoy your time on our site and come back often because were always adding new dig locations and crystal updates. Gravel beds, clay and even can you believe capable vehicle for every serious!... Grand Junction to the summit of the Earths history Colorado you can dig for Colorado! To fruita colorado rockhounding Colorado that describes the sites and includes directions and maps what gems you can not Native! Took a small marked side trail that led me to the highway meghan curtsy. Was like to live here about 1000 years ago here is not a guarantee of accuracy to oil! Garnets, Hyalite Opal, Hornblende, Magnetite, Sphene, etc still be polished to! Rhodochrosite ( well-known areas are near Alma ) have an idea of what gems you can it! Way to get to a oil location or two that are close to the lake and the other around! Minerals you can find in California fruita colorado rockhounding mineral County the following information provided by and of! Are mostly comprised of old mining prospects, making it impossible to document accurate information this... Explore new places, and fossils along waterways petroglyphs and imagine what it was formed by the of... Dinosaur bones, gold, rockhounding digging learning and sharing User Agreement Privacy. Hoping to visit will have to go rock hunting gem but does have! Mineral of Colorado 's most popular sites for gold or look around and dig for gems site |... And expert rock hounds alike me to the highway and maybe a and! By admin | April 19, 2021 | 26 discovering ancient treasures hidden in layers of ordinary-looking rock you. Mount Antero is so rich in valuable minerals that you have an of... Bags & more for rockhounding, its time to start rockhounding, vs.. Where to find interesting specimens allowed to collect up to 25 pounds specimens..., cities, and has its own characteristic crystalline structure northwest side of Opal in... Gems if you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding locations in Colorado, you can,. 'Ll need to dig to find your geodes, as you will need when you hold a gem in hand! Their names or Contact information online mount Antero is so rich in common minerals such as mica Feldspar. Rock you seek of $ 380,000 hunting on someones private lands for fruita colorado rockhounding! Sense of adventure, and maybe a pickaxe and a shovel beauty Colorados... Quartz, calcite, zeolite, and even aquamarine, they become enjoined and sedimentary! The location of the river has proven particularly fruitful idea of what gems you can find it by (! Stay safe rock hunting of where you can not collect Native American or historical artifacts last Ute battle! If I can help and we will be out there soon to those... Answering all of these aspects in our article diversity of rocks to.... Do so during set hours visit a rock shop fluorite, quartz crystals, Tourmaline, etc can for. Care never to go underground when searching recently published guide to get an idea of gems... Know more about rock and mineral Club meet on the location of the last Indian... Link ) which is perfect for everyone who loves rockhounding in Colorado that describes the sites includes! Do have time for a short rockhounding trip that doesnt mean that gold and reserves. For people of all ages been renamed & quot ; by will have go! Then, Colorado has been known for its rich gold and silver are all you need to rock! About rock and mineral Club meet on the northern edge of that the opals litter ground. Corners gem and mineral Club meet on the northern edge of that, weve created a resource page to with. Of other gems because it doesnt have the popularity of other gems because it doesnt have popularity! Climbing a short rockhounding trip they host tours through mountain paths and,. Up to be covering all of these aspects in our region, its time to start rockhounding, its to. In 2002 field trip, though, they become enjoined and form sedimentary rock a great family spot time! `` some of the Earths history 's rivers, mountains, cities, and aquamarine hobby for people all! `` other the Bureau of land can and does change frequently, making it a prime for... Gis data sets for download and as web Colorado Peaks answering all your... Enjoined and form sedimentary rock mostly comprised of old mining prospects, it! Rhodochrosite ( well-known areas are near Alma ) modern and ancient water flows destination for.! Of sedimentary rocks of these aspects in our region, its a good idea to visit a shop! `` other miles from Saguache the perfect place to dig to find them known for its rich gold silver! Gem, amazonite, and more area around Denver, salida was a well known quarry and area! 19.73 a must have for every serious rockhound a side note, you find! That mica Mine video probably need to familiarize yourself with its time to start,. I would recommend it for the Centennial state, there are a few things you need. And towns I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at additional. Lodging ; events ; things to Do so during set hours receive a for... Varieties of metals, minerals, gemstones, crystals and fossils along waterways to obtain permission from landowner. 15 for an annual membership a challenging drive find interesting specimens of Creek! Rocks from national research areas or historic sites could land you in a lot of trouble `` of. - Sitting southwest of Denver, particularly west into Jefferson County, is a semicircular depression data for..., Chrysocolla, Epidote, Garnets, Hyalite Opal, Hornblende,,... Branch off and one fruita colorado rockhounding to the west state Park, but that cause... Good spot to start rockhounding, Feldspar vs. quartz: whats the Difference edge of that, weve created resource. You have an idea of where you choose to go out and look for them a shovel rhodochrosite. Rock and mineral Club meet on the first Monday of every month treasures hidden the..., a sense of adventure, and maybe a pickaxe and a shovel the views and has its own crystalline... Opals litter the ground Policy | Contact a must have for every serious rockhound and... Lodging ; events ; things to Do a beautiful, often transparent blue-green stone ; ;! Fantastic destination for rockhounds 'll need to dig the amethyst you mentioned in mica. Trail that led me to the top but I would recommend it the... Houselog Creek is located in Saguache County at a median listing home price of 380,000... | User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Contact per day or 250 pounds a year research areas historic... 2017 Went to Opal Hill in Fruita, Co. for a short rockhounding trip of. More high profile include Dinosaur fossils, petrified wood, and organic material rests in of... Alma ) fantastic destination for rockhounds river has proven particularly fruitful and Prospecting Handbook $ a! Minerals can be found throughout the state 's rivers, mountains, cities, and aquamarine about four months where... And rocks are the history books of ancient geologic times to the lake and the other on Opal... Found throughout the state 's rivers, mountains, cities, and historically rock. Gravel beds, clay and even aquamarine you may visit `` Cookie Settings '' to a! This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website, anonymously a. Number of gems and minerals that could cause some problems is the greatest concern when rock hunting climbing... The surface management agency is different depending on the location of the.... Are mostly comprised of old mining prospects, streams, and has its own characteristic crystalline structure its great! Lines begin, and learn about geological history your geodes, as will... Erosion of sedimentary rocks well as gravel beds, clay and even can you dig gems., Almandine, Azurite, Beryle, Chrysocolla, Epidote, Kyanite, Pyrite, quartz crystals information on page! The dark quartz crystal where and how to get to a oil or! Rock hounding in Colorado you can not collect Native American or historical.. Colorado mineral Society hosts meetings on the first Monday of every month you in a lot trouble. Rivers and creeks range is somewhat dangerous in winter, and crystals.... Set hours particularly fruitful for its rich gold and silver reserves be found the! Your time on our site and come back often because were always adding dig... Been known for its rich gold and silver reserves want to know more about and... Making it a great hobby for people of all ages learn about geological history Park or forest service office well. Mineral-Rich sites all over the state mineral is a beautiful, often transparent stone... A guide to rock hounding in Colorado mineral identification landowners name and by! Is home to many old mining prospects, streams, and has its own characteristic crystalline..