Hurricane: Fossil Hunting in Washington County, Utah

Updated June 2026

Hurricane is a mapped rockhounding spot in Washington County, Utah. Reported finds include fossil. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Washington County
State: Utah
Nearest road: Sandstone Mountain Trail
Postcode: 84737
Coordinates: 37.21215, -113.32407

Geology at Hurricane

This spot sits on Navajo Sandstone, mapped as sandstone that formed roughly 200 to 175 million years ago. Sedimentary layers like these are where fossils are typically preserved, and fresh exposures after rain or in active cuts tend to produce best.

Mapped unit: Navajo Sandstone
Age: 200–175 Ma (Early Jurassic)
Rock types: sandstone
Elevation: 3,600 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 Hurricane

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 97°F in midsummer and 51°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 28°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LA VERKIN station (3 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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 Hurricane

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

Fossil Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Hurricane.

Across the state line from Hurricane

Hurricane 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.

Hurricane FAQ

Where is Hurricane?+

Hurricane is in Washington County, Utah, at 37.21215, -113.32407. Nearest road: Sandstone Mountain Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Hurricane?+

Hurricane is reported to produce Fossil.

Is collecting allowed at Hurricane?+

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 Hurricane?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Hurricane?+

The most comfortable months at Hurricane are September to May. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Hurricane?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.21215, -113.32407 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Sandstone Mountain Trail.

More rockhounding in Utah

See all 270 Utah spots →

Open Hurricane on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.