San Juan River: Anhydrite & Chalcopyrite Rockhounding in San Juan County, Utah

Updated July 2026

San Juan River is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Juan County, Utah. Reported finds include anhydrite, chalcopyrite, copper, gold, gypsum, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: San Juan County
State: Utah
Coordinates: 37.27819, -109.41251

Geology at San Juan River

This spot sits on Alluvium and colluvium, mapped as unconsolidated alluvium and colluvium that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Stream-worked gravels like these are where placer gold tends to concentrate, settling toward bedrock, inside gravel bars, and behind boulders.

Mapped unit: Alluvium and colluvium
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: unconsolidated alluvium and colluvium
Elevation: 4,370 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit San Juan River

Best months: February to May. Typical highs run 96°F in midsummer and 43°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BLUFF station (8 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

BLM Utah, Rockhounding overview
Utah Geological Survey, collecting guidelines
SITLA, surface use rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at San Juan River

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 San Juan River.

Across the state line from San Juan River

San Juan River is close enough to the Utah border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

NW San Juan CountySan Juan County, New Mexico · 55 mi awayChert, Garnet, Jasper

San Juan River FAQ

Where is San Juan River?+

San Juan River is in San Juan County, Utah, at 37.27819, -109.41251.

What rocks and minerals can you find at San Juan River?+

San Juan River is reported to produce Anhydrite, Chalcopyrite, Copper, Gold, Gypsum, Malachite.

Is collecting allowed at San Juan River?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to San Juan River?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit San Juan River?+

The most comfortable months at San Juan River are February to May. Monsoon storms peak in July and August and can flood washes fast.

How do I get to San Juan River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.27819, -109.41251 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Utah

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Open San Juan River on the map

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