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Crystal Hill — Rockhounding in Saguache County, Colorado

Crystal Hill near La Garita is documented by the USGS as a source of clear rock crystal and pale lavender amethyst in brecciated volcanic rock, a San Luis Valley collecting site worked since the 1880s. The BLM reclaimed the old mine workings around 2009 and allows public collecting on the reclaimed ground. Smoky quartz and manganese oxides occur in the same host. Reported finds include amethyst, quartz, smoky quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Crystal Hill photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Map showing Crystal Hill in Saguache County, Colorado

Quick details

Access
Public area

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 Crystal Hill

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Crystal Hill.

Crystal Hill FAQ

Why is Crystal Hill one of the best rockhounding spots in Colorado?+
Crystal Hill near La Garita is documented by the USGS as a source of clear rock crystal and pale lavender amethyst in brecciated volcanic rock, a San Luis Valley collecting site worked since the 1880s. The BLM reclaimed the old mine workings around 2009 and allows public collecting on the reclaimed ground. Smoky quartz and manganese oxides occur in the same host.
Where is Crystal Hill?+
Crystal Hill is in Saguache County, Colorado, at 37.84331, -106.28480.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Crystal Hill?+
Crystal Hill is reported to produce Amethyst, Quartz, Smoky Quartz.
Is collecting allowed at Crystal Hill?+
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. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I get to Crystal Hill?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 37.84331, -106.28480 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote — check road conditions before driving out.

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