ARIZONA
State Gemstone: Turquoise (1974)
State Fossil: Petrified Wood (1988)
The Grand Canyon State, is obviously no stranger to rocks and gemstones.
Visitors from all corners of the world in search of Arizona rocks, gemstones, minerals and fossils which find themselves scattered across this geologic treasure trove.
The best places to collect rocks in Arizona include the areas around Phoenix and Tucson, as well as smaller towns such as Cave Creek, Clifton, Morristown, and Kingman. These locations offer a diverse array of rock and mineral specimens such as agate, jasper, petrified wood, turquoise, and copper.
Every winter in Tucson, Arizona, exhibitors from all over the world come together to show off their collections of rocks, gemstones and minerals at the Tucson Gem And Mineral Show.
These are a few of the things you may want to take along with you on your dig:
A small, handheld garden rake
A handheld trowel
Knee pads or an old cushion to kneel/sit on
A bucket, for holding your finds
Newspaper or grocery bags to wrap and protect your crystals
While digging crystals you will probably be outside for a long time. You may want to bring:
Water
Snacks
A wide hat
Sunscreen
Bug spray, and a small first aid kit (Quartz can be sharp!)
BLACKHILLS ROCKHOUND AREA
Safford, Arizona
MINE INFORMATON
A free public rockhound dig location, in Arizona. This dig location is the perfect place to find some eyeball agates and other types as well including botryoidal and awesome colorful agates. If you’re looking for a fun day out, be sure to check out the Black Hills Rockhound Area in Safford, Arizona
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- 1 or 2 buckets
- Food/drinks
HOURS
Always Open
MINE INFORMATON
The world famous Red Cloud Mine is all about having fun and mining the most beautiful Wulfenite and Vanadinite Gems you will ever see.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Screwdriver
- Gloves
- Garden Trowel
- 3 prong hand cultivator
- 1 or 2 buckets
- Medium size pry bar
- Knee pads or something to kneel on
- Food/drinks
HOURS
Always Open
Finding WULFENITE and VANADILITE at RED COULD MINE!
LAZY B RANCH
Located on BLM Land
Southeast Arizona
MINE INFORMATON
At this location near Duncan, Arizona you can find loads of agates, some even with fire! Even more Chalcedony on the surface with super cool wavy formations. This is located on BLM land and you have access to dig and even camp on site!
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Screwdriver
- Gloves
- Garden Trowel
- 3 prong hand cultivator
- 1 or 2 buckets
- Medium size pry bar
- Knee pads or something to kneel on
- Food/drinks
LOCATION
Please watch the video for directions. They are at the 1:20 mark
DOBELL RANCH &
PETRIFIED NATIONAL PARK
Call us at 928-524-2628
Rhonda Dobell cell. 928-245-9010
FaceBook Page
INFORMATON
At Dobell’s location you can pay to dig for legit genuine in situ petrified wood
At the Petrified Forest National Park collecting is strictly prohibited.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Screwdriver
- Gloves
- Garden Trowel
- 3 prong hand cultivator
- 1 or 2 buckets
- Medium size pry bar
- Knee pads or something to kneel on
- Food/drinks
Disclaimer
Please note that rock collecting locations are always changing so be sure to check with the site owner for the most current information before going.
We’ve listed a couple of locations here but there may be many more that are not listed.
Dig safe, never go underground, and make sure to get permission from the landowner to search for and collect rocks.