Where to Find Carnotite in Utah

Carnotite is the lemon-yellow uranium-vanadium ore mineral that drove Utah's uranium boom of the 1950s. Most occurrences are in the Salt Wash member of the Morrison Formation, with concentrations in the Uravan mineral belt extending into San Juan and Grand counties. The Lisbon Valley, White Canyon, and Henry Mountains districts produced carnotite as powdery coatings, channel-fill ore, and replacements after fossilized wood. The Cane Creek anticline near Moab carries carnotite alongside copper minerals in sandstone. Carnotite is radioactive, and specimens should be stored ventilated and never displayed in a closed living space. A Geiger counter is useful for both finding and grading material. The most productive ground is in Lisbon Valley (San Juan County), Henry Mountains district (Garfield County), White Canyon (San Juan County).

Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like carnotite is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in Utah, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.

Lisbon Valley (San Juan County) is the standout. Other strong ground includes Henry Mountains district (Garfield County), White Canyon (San Juan County). Carnotite is bright canary-yellow and powdery, often staining the host sandstone yellow on weathered faces. Confirm with a portable radiation meter rather than color alone, since limonite and jarosite can mimic it.