GoldCA
Ohio & Marsaba Mines
Ohio & Marsaba Mines is a documented mineral site in Fresno, California, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
View detailsRockhounding sites near Fresno
24 rockhounding collecting sites within about 120 miles of Fresno, California.
This page lists 24 natural rockhounding sites near Fresno, California, sorted by distance within about 120 miles.
Where can you collect near Fresno?
Near Fresno, California, our directory maps 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 120 miles of the city center — including 1 quartz & crystals, 1 gemstones, 13 fossilss, and 6 gold & mineralss. The closest mapped spot is Ohio & Marsaba Mines (23 mi straight-line). Distances are not drive time; open each listing for directions, fee notes, access rules, and safety context before you travel.
At a glance — rockhounding sites near Fresno
| Central place | Fresno, California |
|---|---|
| Search radius | About 120 miles |
| Mapped spots | 24 |
| Closest listing | Ohio & Marsaba Mines (23 mi) |
| Specimen types | Quartz & Crystals (1), Gemstones (1), Fossils (13), Gold & Minerals (6), Other (3) |
| Typical fees | 24 varies |
All rockhounding sites near Fresno
24 rockhounding collecting sites in California, sorted by distance from the city center. For live GPS sorting, use rockhounding sites near me.
QuartzCA
Clark Valley
Clark Valley is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Apatite Crystals, Andalusite crystals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
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AzuriteCA
Jack Thorn Mine
Jack Thorn Mine is a known mineral occurrence in Fresno, California, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Malachite.
View detailsEpidoteCA
Clark Valley (north Side)
Clark Valley (North Side) is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Epidote. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsGoldCA
Hidden Treasure Mine
Hidden Treasure Mine is a documented mineral site in Fresno, California, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
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GarnetCA
Unnamed Location (grossular Garnet)
Unnamed Location (Grossular garnet) is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Grossular garnet, Vesuvianite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsAzuriteCA
Terrill
Terrill is a known mineral occurrence in Fresno, California, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Malachite.
View detailsGoldCA
Hacker Mountain Mine
Hacker Mountain Mine is a mineral prospect in Fresno, California, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold, Iron, Silver, Wolframite.
View detailsGoldCA
Minnette
Minnette is a documented mineral site in Fresno, California, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
View detailsGoldCA
Delilah
Delilah is a known mineral occurrence in Fresno, California, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
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FossilCA
Ucmp Loc. 2275
Fossil collection site in the Santa Margarita, Fresno County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Coalinga, North
Fossil collection site in the Temblor, Fresno County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Ucmp Loc. 2093
Fossil collection site in the Etchegoin, Fresno County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Ucmp Loc. 2091
Fossil collection site in the Etchegoin, Fresno County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Ucmp V-99563
Fossil collection site in the Temblor, Fresno County, California. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Monocline Ridge
Fossil collection site in the Temblor, Fresno County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Ucmp Loc. 2376
Fossil collection site in the Etchegoin, Fresno County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Ucmp Loc. 2096
Fossil collection site in the Etchegoin, Fresno County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Ucmp Loc. 2377
Fossil collection site in the Etchegoin, Fresno County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsMineralCA
Silver Horde Mine
Silver Horde Mine is a documented mineral site in Madera, California, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Copper, Galena, Gold, Silver, Wolframite.
View detailsFossilCA
Tierra Loma Quadrangle
Fossil collection site, Fresno County, California. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Lodo Fm (general List)
Fossil collection site in the Lodo, Fresno County, California. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Ucmp A1007
Fossil collection site in the Domengine, Fresno County, California. Environment: marginal marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCA
Temblor Flora
Fossil collection site in the Temblor, Fresno County, California. Environment: deltaic indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsMap of rockhounding sites near Fresno
Pins within about 120 miles — open a listing for fees, access, and directions.
24 sites mapped near Fresno
Closest sites by distance
- Ohio & Marsaba Mines — 23 mi · Gold
- Clark Valley — 23 mi · Quartz
- Jack Thorn Mine — 24 mi · Azurite
- Clark Valley (north Side) — 24 mi · Epidote
- Hidden Treasure Mine — 25 mi · Gold
- Unnamed Location (grossular Garnet) — 26 mi · Garnet
- Terrill — 31 mi · Azurite
- Hacker Mountain Mine — 32 mi · Gold
- Minnette — 34 mi · Gold
- Delilah — 38 mi · Gold
- Ucmp Loc. 2275 — 42 mi · Fossil
- Coalinga, North — 43 mi · Fossil
- Ucmp Loc. 2093 — 43 mi · Fossil
- Ucmp Loc. 2091 — 44 mi · Fossil
- Ucmp V-99563 — 45 mi · Fossil
Types of rockhounding sites near Fresno
Browse by specimen type in California — each link opens the full state directory for that category.
Quartz & Crystals (1)
Quartz veins, crystal pockets, and pegmatite sites — from Herkimer diamonds to Arkansas clear quartz.
Gemstones (1)
Facetable and collector gems — emeralds, sapphires, garnets, topaz, beryl, and tourmaline localities.
Fossils (13)
Trilobites, brachiopods, petrified wood, and other paleontological collecting on public land.
Gold & Minerals (6)
Placer gold, pyrite, copper minerals, and general ore-mineral localities open to casual collecting.
Other (3)
Mixed or specialty collecting — zeolites, fluorescent minerals, thundereggs, and unique regional finds.
Natural collecting sites in the Fresno area
Fresno is a practical launch point for day trips to natural rockhounding sites in California. Within about 120 miles you will find 24 mapped destinations in our directory, starting with Ohio & Marsaba Mines about 23 mi from the city center.
The mix spans quartz & crystals, gemstones, fossils, gold & minerals, other — related terms searchers use include creek gravel collecting, desert washes, road cuts, and field collecting.
How distances work near Fresno
Every card on this page is a verified directory entry in California with map coordinates. We measure straight-line distance from the Fresno city center — not driving time. A creek rockhounding site 12 miles away on forest roads can take longer than a river access point 20 miles away on a highway.
Field collecting near Fresno includes informal gravel bars, dry washes, quarry faces, and developed park collecting areas. Rules, fees, and seasonal access differ by land manager. Never assume collecting is allowed without checking the listing and posted signs the day you visit.
Safety and field conditions near you
Field conditions near Fresno change after rain, snowmelt, and summer heat. Unstable slopes, heat exhaustion, loose rock, and flash floods are real risks at creek and quarry rockhounding sites — most sites have no supervision. Check weather and local advisories before you start digging.
We publish original planning copy, safety tips, and last-updated dates on each listing. See our editorial policy for sourcing standards, or contact us if access or conditions have changed.
Rockhounding sites near Fresno — FAQ
Where can you collect near Fresno?
Near Fresno, California, our directory lists 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 120 miles — mainly 1 quartz & crystals, 1 gemstones, 13 fossilss, and 6 gold & mineralss. Each listing links to directions, fee notes, and safety context. Use near me on your phone for live distance sorting from your location.
How many rockhounding sites are near Fresno, California?
This page shows 24 mapped rockhounding collecting sites within about 120 miles of Fresno. The full California directory may list additional holes farther out or awaiting coordinates. Counts update as we verify new listings.
What is the closest rockhounding site to Fresno?
The closest mapped spot to Fresno is Ohio & Marsaba Mines (23 mi straight-line). Open that listing for driving directions, access notes, and current fee information — unofficial holes can change without notice.
Are rockhounding sites near Fresno free?
24 have variable or unverified fees. Open each spot page for current fee details.
What types of rockhounding sites are near Fresno?
Near Fresno, documented specimen types include quartz & crystals, gemstones, fossilss, gold & mineralss, others. A rockhounding site is a natural outcrop, wash, or creek gravel bar — not a fee dig or shop. Filter by type on the California state page or open each card for specimen and access details.
When is the best time to visit rockhounding sites near Fresno?
Late spring through early fall is the usual field season near Fresno, but snowmelt, drought, and weekend crowds change conditions week to week. Check each listing before you drive — storms can make washes and creek banks unsafe.
Is it safe to collect near Fresno?
Field collecting near Fresno carries real risks: unstable slopes, heat, loose rock, and no rangers at most unofficial sites. Check weather and posted warnings the day you visit. Read our rockhounding safety basics guide and each listing's safety section before you dig.
Listing data last updated across spots on this page.