Wolf Creek Pass — Rockhounding in Mineral County, Colorado
Wolf Creek Pass cuts through Conejos Formation basalts whose gas cavities are lined with zeolites, including mordenite reported among the finest in North America, alongside amethyst-bearing geodes. Heulandite, chabazite, and calcite occur in the same amygdules. The collecting exposures along US 160 sit on San Juan and Rio Grande National Forest land outside designated wilderness. Reported finds include amethyst, mordenite, heulandite, chabazite, calcite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Wolf Creek Pass photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Wolf Creek Pass in Mineral County, Colorado
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Mineral County
- State
- Colorado
- Nearest road
- US 160
- Coordinates
- 37.45140, -106.88947
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Sources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.
Found at Wolf Creek Pass
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
- AmethystEncyclopedia →
- MordeniteEncyclopedia →
- HeulanditeEncyclopedia →
- ChabaziteEncyclopedia →
- CalciteEncyclopedia →
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Wolf Creek Pass.
- Wolf Creek Stream BedMineral County, Colorado · 5 mi awayAmethyst Geode, Agate, Chalcedony
- Willow Creek West Fork stream bedMineral County, Colorado · 29 mi awayTurquoise
- Willow Creek (permission required)Mineral County, Colorado · 29 mi awayAmethyst, Chalcedony, Sphalerite
- Del Norte Thunder Egg BedsTop pick in ColoradoSaguache County, Colorado · 32 mi awayPlume Agate, Moss Agate, Chalcedony
- Crystal HillTop pick in ColoradoSaguache County, Colorado · 43 mi awayAmethyst, Quartz, Smoky Quartz
- Gunnison Gold Belt MinesGunnison County, Colorado · 60 mi awayGold, Copper
- Quartz Creek (Brown Derby)Top pick in ColoradoGunnison County, Colorado · 75 mi awayBeryl, Tourmaline, Lepidolite
- Mount AnteroTop pick in ColoradoChaffee County, Colorado · 91 mi awayAquamarine, Beryl, Phenakite
Across the state line from Wolf Creek Pass
Wolf Creek Pass is close enough to the Colorado border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
Wolf Creek Pass FAQ
Why is Wolf Creek Pass one of the best rockhounding spots in Colorado?+
Where is Wolf Creek Pass?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Wolf Creek Pass?+
Is collecting allowed at Wolf Creek Pass?+
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More rockhounding in Colorado
See all 33 Colorado spots →Open Wolf Creek Pass on the map
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