FossilWA
Ucmp A3708
Fossil collection site in the Blakeley, King County, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsRockhounding sites near Seattle
24 rockhounding collecting sites within about 100 miles of Seattle, Washington.
This page lists 24 natural rockhounding sites near Seattle, Washington, sorted by distance within about 100 miles.
Where can you collect near Seattle?
Near Seattle, Washington, our directory maps 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 100 miles of the city center — including 16 fossilss, 5 gold & mineralss, and 3 others. The closest mapped spot is Ucmp A3708 (11 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 Seattle
| Central place | Seattle, Washington |
|---|---|
| Search radius | About 100 miles |
| Mapped spots | 24 |
| Closest listing | Ucmp A3708 (11 mi) |
| Specimen types | Fossils (16), Gold & Minerals (5), Other (3) |
| Typical fees | 24 varies |
All rockhounding sites near Seattle
24 rockhounding collecting sites in Washington, sorted by distance from the city center. For live GPS sorting, use rockhounding sites near me.
AmberWA
Issaquah
Issaquah is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Amber. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsFossilWA
Puget Sound, Cas Loc. 31879
Fossil collection site, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilWA
Fiddlers Bluff
Fossil collection site, Snohomish County, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilWA
Ucmp A3707
Fossil collection site in the Blakeley, Snohomish County, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilWA
Uw 353
Fossil collection site, Jefferson County County, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilWA
Puget Group Loc. 34
Fossil collection site, King County, Washington. Environment: crevasse splay. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View details
GoldWA
Sultan
Sultan is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Gold. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsFossilWA
Port Hadlock Bay
Fossil collection site in the Gries Ranch, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilWA
Uw 162
Fossil collection site, Jefferson County County, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsAzuriteWA
Mount Phelps
Mount Phelps is a mineral prospect in King, Washington, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Galena, Gold, Malachite.
View detailsFossilWA
Uw 163
Fossil collection site, Jefferson County County, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsGoldWA
Granite Falls
Granite Falls is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Gold. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsFossilWA
Uw 267
Fossil collection site, Jefferson County County, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilWA
Uw 180
Fossil collection site, Jefferson County County, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilWA
Uw 165
Fossil collection site, Jefferson County County, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilWA
Ucmp A3706
Fossil collection site in the Blakeley, Snohomish County, Washington. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsFossilWA
Loc8, Gia Fd
Fossil collection site, San Juan County, Washington. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsMixed mineralsWA
Hansen Creek Opal Mine
Hansen Creek Opal Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Mixed minerals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsFossilWA
Port Townsend
Fossil collection site, Jefferson County, Washington. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsGoldWA
Money Creek
Money Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Gold. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
View detailsAzuriteWA
Consolidated
Consolidated is a known mineral occurrence in Snohomish, Washington, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Azurite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Gold, Malachite, Silver.
View detailsFossilWA
Pysht (m6375)
Fossil collection site in the Clallam, Clallam County, Washington. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsGoldWA
Aaron
Aaron is a documented mineral site in King, Washington, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gold.
View detailsMap of rockhounding sites near Seattle
Pins within about 100 miles — open a listing for fees, access, and directions.
24 sites mapped near Seattle
Closest sites by distance
- Ucmp A3708 — 11 mi · Fossil
- Issaquah — 18 mi · Amber
- Puget Sound, Cas Loc. 31879 — 19 mi · Fossil
- Fiddlers Bluff — 19 mi · Fossil
- Ucmp A3707 — 27 mi · Fossil
- Uw 353 — 29 mi · Fossil
- Puget Group Loc. 34 — 30 mi · Fossil
- Sultan — 30 mi · Gold
- Port Hadlock Bay — 35 mi · Fossil
- Uw 162 — 36 mi · Fossil
- Mount Phelps — 36 mi · Azurite
- Uw 163 — 36 mi · Fossil
- Granite Falls — 36 mi · Gold
- Uw 267 — 37 mi · Fossil
- Uw 180 — 37 mi · Fossil
Types of rockhounding sites near Seattle
Browse by specimen type in Washington — each link opens the full state directory for that category.
Fossils (16)
Trilobites, brachiopods, petrified wood, and other paleontological collecting on public land.
Gold & Minerals (5)
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 Seattle area
Seattle is a practical launch point for day trips to natural rockhounding sites in Washington. Within about 100 miles you will find 24 mapped destinations in our directory, starting with Ucmp A3708 about 11 mi from the city center.
The mix spans fossils, gold & minerals, other — related terms searchers use include creek gravel collecting, desert washes, road cuts, and field collecting.
How distances work near Seattle
Every card on this page is a verified directory entry in Washington with map coordinates. We measure straight-line distance from the Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle — FAQ
Where can you collect near Seattle?
Near Seattle, Washington, our directory lists 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 100 miles — mainly 16 fossilss, 5 gold & mineralss, and 3 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 Seattle, Washington?
This page shows 24 mapped rockhounding collecting sites within about 100 miles of Seattle. The full Washington directory may list additional holes farther out or awaiting coordinates. Counts update as we verify new listings.
What is the closest rockhounding site to Seattle?
The closest mapped spot to Seattle is Ucmp A3708 (11 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 Seattle free?
24 have variable or unverified fees. Open each spot page for current fee details.
What types of rockhounding sites are near Seattle?
Near Seattle, documented specimen types include 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 Washington state page or open each card for specimen and access details.
When is the best time to visit rockhounding sites near Seattle?
Late spring through early fall is the usual field season near Seattle, 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 Seattle?
Field collecting near Seattle 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.