Rockhounding in Wyoming
Wyoming produces nephrite jade, agates, dinosaur fossils, and the famous Green River Formation fossil fish.
6 Rockhounding Locations
Sweetwater Agate Beds
Rawlins, Wyoming · BLM Land
BLM land known for Sweetwater agate — beautiful banded agate with distinctive color patterns. Classic Wyoming collecting area.
Wyoming Jade Beds
Jeffrey City, Wyoming · BLM Land
Hunt for nephrite jade (Wyoming's state gem) on BLM land. The Lander/Green Mountain area is the most productive jade region.
Green River Formation
Kemmerer, Wyoming · Fee Dig
World-famous Eocene fossil fish beds. Multiple fee-dig operations where you can split shale to find 50-million-year-old fish (Knightia) and other foss...
Warfield Springs Fossil Area
Kemmerer, Wyoming · Fee Dig
Fee-dig fossil quarry in the Green River Formation. Known for well-preserved fossil fish and plant specimens.
American Fossil Quarry
Kemmerer, Wyoming · Fee Dig
Fee-dig fossil quarry in the Green River Formation. Excellent preservation of fish, plants, and insects. Guide assistance available.
Winter Run Agate Area
Rawlins, Wyoming · BLM Land
BLM collecting area in the Rawlins region. Known for beautiful agate specimens. Part of the prolific Sweetwater agate region.
⛏️ Gear for Wyoming Rockhounding
Here's the essential gear recommended for rockhounding in Wyoming.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35