Gem Mining, Gold Panning & Rockhounding in Arizona
Where can you go gem mining in Arizona? We list 7 sites in Arizona (4 rockhounding / fossil sites, 1 gold panning, 2 mine tours), including Bear Springs Badlands (Graham County, AZ), Black Hills Rockhound Area (Graham County, AZ), La Posa Long Term Visitor Area (Quartzsite, AZ).
Listings come from operators' official websites, OpenStreetMap, the federal RIDB database and the Bureau of Land Management.
Verify before visiting. Hours, fees, access and collecting rules change, and some listings come from community-edited data. Call or check the operator's official page before you go. Details we could not confirm are marked "call to confirm".
Gold Panning Spots in Arizona (1)
Lynx Creek Gold Pan Day Use Area
Gold panningYavapai County, AZ · OpenStreetMap
Rockhounding & Fossil Sites in Arizona (4)
Bear Springs Badlands
Rockhounding / fossil siteGraham County, AZ · Recreation Information Database (RIDB)Black Hills Rockhound Area
Rockhounding / fossil siteGraham County, AZ · Bureau of Land ManagementLa Posa Long Term Visitor Area
Rockhounding / fossil siteQuartzsite, AZ · Recreation Information Database (RIDB)Round Mountain Rockhound Area
Rockhounding / fossil siteGreenlee County, AZ · Bureau of Land Management
Mine Tours in Arizona (2)
Queen Mine Tours
Mine tourCochise County, AZ · OpenStreetMapVulture Mine Tours / Vulture City Ghost Town
Mine tourWickenburg, AZ · OpenStreetMap
FAQ
How many gem mining and rockhounding sites are in Arizona?
This directory lists 7 in Arizona: 4 rockhounding / fossil sites, 1 gold panning, 2 mine tours.
Can I keep what I find in Arizona?
At pay-to-dig mines, usually yes, under the mine's own rules. On BLM land you may generally collect reasonable amounts for noncommercial use. Rules for state parks, national forests and private land differ, so check with the manager.
Also see: Pay-to-Dig Gem Mines · Gold Panning Spots · Rockhounding & Fossil Sites · Mine Tours · Gear checklist