FossilCO
Little Dry Creek
Fossil collection site in the Denver, Jefferson County, Colorado. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsRockhounding sites near Denver
24 rockhounding collecting sites within about 100 miles of Denver, Colorado.
This page lists 24 natural rockhounding sites near Denver, Colorado, sorted by distance within about 100 miles.
Where can you collect near Denver?
Near Denver, Colorado, our directory maps 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 100 miles of the city center — including 1 quartz & crystals, 12 fossilss, 2 gold & mineralss, and 9 others. The closest mapped spot is Little Dry Creek (5.1 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 Denver
| Central place | Denver, Colorado |
|---|---|
| Search radius | About 100 miles |
| Mapped spots | 24 |
| Closest listing | Little Dry Creek (5.1 mi) |
| Specimen types | Quartz & Crystals (1), Fossils (12), Gold & Minerals (2), Other (9) |
| Typical fees | 24 varies |
All rockhounding sites near Denver
24 rockhounding collecting sites in Colorado, sorted by distance from the city center. For live GPS sorting, use rockhounding sites near me.
FossilCO
Usgs D1545, Morrison
Fossil collection site in the Pierre Shale, Jefferson County, Colorado. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View details
ApophylliteCO
Table Mountains (north And South)
Table Mountains (North and South) is a documented mineral occurrence near CO. Reported specimens include Apophyllite, Aragonite, Calcite, Halloysite, Zeolite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsFossilCO
Bandimere Speedway Tracksite
Fossil collection site, Jefferson County, Colorado. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCO
High Pointe Village
Fossil collection site in the Denver, Adams County, Colorado. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCO
Deadman Gulch, Golden
Fossil collection site in the Fox Hills, Jefferson County, Colorado. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCO
Bowling (dmnh Loc. 1738)
Fossil collection site in the Denver, Adams County, Colorado. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCO
Westmoor Golf Course
Fossil collection site in the Denver, Adams County, Colorado. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCO
Fireclay Tracksite
Fossil collection site in the Muddy Sandstone, Jefferson County, Colorado. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCO
Chatfield Site 1
Fossil collection site in the Muddy Sandstone, Jefferson County, Colorado. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFluoriteCO
Unnamed Area (jefferson Co.)
Unnamed Area (Jefferson Co.) is a documented mineral occurrence near CO. Reported specimens include Fluorite, Gold, Silver, Chalcocite, Sphalerite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View details
AquamarineCO
Centennial Cone
Centennial Cone is a documented mineral occurrence near CO. Reported specimens include Aquamarine, Bertrandite, Beryl, Smoky Quartz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsFossilCO
Cherryvale Tracksite
Fossil collection site in the Laramie, Boulder County, Colorado. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCO
Lesser's Brickyard, Boulder
Fossil collection site in the Pierre Shale, Colorado. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilCO
Boulder Tracksite
Fossil collection site in the Muddy Sandstone, Boulder County, Colorado. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFeldsparCO
South Platte Pegmatite District
South Platte Pegmatite District is a historic mining site in Jefferson, Colorado, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Feldspar, Fluorite, Gemstones, Pyrolusite, Quartz crystals.
View detailsWolframiteCO
Oneonta
Oneonta is a historic mining site in Boulder, Colorado, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Wolframite.
View detailsWolframiteCO
Roosevelt
Roosevelt is a historic mining site in Boulder, Colorado, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Wolframite.
View details
GoldCO
Lump Gulch
Lump Gulch is a known mineral occurrence in Gilpin, Colorado, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
View detailsWolframiteCO
Hillside
Hillside is a historic mining site in Boulder, Colorado, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Wolframite.
View detailsWolframiteCO
Peewink
Peewink is a historic mining site in Boulder, Colorado, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Wolframite.
View detailsGoldCO
Blue Eagle
Blue Eagle is a known mineral occurrence in Boulder, Colorado, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
View detailsMolybdeniteCO
Wilma
Wilma is a known mineral occurrence in Gilpin, Colorado, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Molybdenite.
View detailsAzuriteCO
Velvet Valley
Velvet Valley is a known mineral occurrence in Gilpin, Colorado, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Gold, Malachite.
View detailsMap of rockhounding sites near Denver
Pins within about 100 miles — open a listing for fees, access, and directions.
24 sites mapped near Denver
Closest sites by distance
- Little Dry Creek — 5 mi · Fossil
- Usgs D1545, Morrison — 10 mi · Fossil
- Table Mountains (north And South) — 11 mi · Apophyllite
- Bandimere Speedway Tracksite — 12 mi · Fossil
- High Pointe Village — 12 mi · Fossil
- Deadman Gulch, Golden — 12 mi · Fossil
- Bowling (dmnh Loc. 1738) — 14 mi · Fossil
- Westmoor Golf Course — 14 mi · Fossil
- Fireclay Tracksite — 16 mi · Fossil
- Chatfield Site 1 — 17 mi · Fossil
- Unnamed Area (jefferson Co.) — 19 mi · Fluorite
- Centennial Cone — 20 mi · Aquamarine
- Cherryvale Tracksite — 20 mi · Fossil
- Lesser's Brickyard, Boulder — 23 mi · Fossil
- Boulder Tracksite — 24 mi · Fossil
Types of rockhounding sites near Denver
Browse by specimen type in Colorado — 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.
Fossils (12)
Trilobites, brachiopods, petrified wood, and other paleontological collecting on public land.
Gold & Minerals (2)
Placer gold, pyrite, copper minerals, and general ore-mineral localities open to casual collecting.
Other (9)
Mixed or specialty collecting — zeolites, fluorescent minerals, thundereggs, and unique regional finds.
Natural collecting sites in the Denver area
Denver is a practical launch point for day trips to natural rockhounding sites in Colorado. Within about 100 miles you will find 24 mapped destinations in our directory, starting with Little Dry Creek about 5.1 mi from the city center.
The mix spans quartz & crystals, fossils, gold & minerals, other — related terms searchers use include creek gravel collecting, desert washes, road cuts, and field collecting.
How distances work near Denver
Every card on this page is a verified directory entry in Colorado with map coordinates. We measure straight-line distance from the Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver 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 Denver — FAQ
Where can you collect near Denver?
Near Denver, Colorado, our directory lists 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 100 miles — mainly 1 quartz & crystals, 12 fossilss, 2 gold & mineralss, and 9 others. 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 Denver, Colorado?
This page shows 24 mapped rockhounding collecting sites within about 100 miles of Denver. The full Colorado directory may list additional holes farther out or awaiting coordinates. Counts update as we verify new listings.
What is the closest rockhounding site to Denver?
The closest mapped spot to Denver is Little Dry Creek (5.1 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 Denver free?
24 have variable or unverified fees. Open each spot page for current fee details.
What types of rockhounding sites are near Denver?
Near Denver, documented specimen types include quartz & crystals, 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 Colorado state page or open each card for specimen and access details.
When is the best time to visit rockhounding sites near Denver?
Late spring through early fall is the usual field season near Denver, 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 Denver?
Field collecting near Denver 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.