Utah's rock, mineral, and fossil
collectors must adhere to rules and
regulations established by owners or
managing agencies of the lands on
which they wish to collect. Prior to
collecting, rockhounds should
determine ownership of the lands
they intend to visit and familiarize
themselves with the regulations that
apply to collecting on those lands.
Consult surface-management status
maps (sold by various agencies and
outlets, including the Utah Geological
Survey and the Bureau of Land
Management) or site-specific landownership
maps (at the recorder's office
in the county where you intend to
collect). Utah's lands are managed by
the federal government (Bureau of
Land Management, U.S. Forest
Service, National Park Service, Bureau
of Reclamation, Department of
Defense, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, American Indians), state
government (School and Institutional
Trust Lands Administration), and
private owners (including local
governments). Rockhounding permits
may be required to collect on some
government lands, and permission is
required to collect on private lands.
About 67 percent of Utah's lands are
managed by the federal government.
Most of this land is open to collecting
except for National Parks, National
Monuments, American Indian lands,
military reservations, dam sites, and
wildlife refuges.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lands: Except where posted or on developed recreation sites, the casual collector may collect reasonable amounts of rocks, minerals, gemstones, invertebrate and plant fossils if collection is for personal, non-commercial purposes. Surface disturbance must be negligible. Collection of large quantities or for commercial purposes requires a permit from the BLM. (Commercial collecting of fossils is not allowed). Use of explosives and/or power equipment is forbidden. You may collect in wilderness and wilderness study areas so long as there is no surface disturbance.
Petrified wood may be collected for personal use up to 25 pounds plus one piece per day up to a maximum of 250 pounds per calendar year. Use of explosives and/or power equipment is forbidden. Collectors wishing to resell their petrified wood specimens must obtain a permit. BLM State Office 801-539-4001
U.S. Forest Service (USFS)Lands: Rock, mineral, and fossil collecting on lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service requires a permit. Although collecting for personal use is allowed in most districts and permits are typically free, collecting rules vary. (Commercial collecting of fossils is not allowed). USFS State Office 801-524-3900
Most state-owned property is managed
by the School and Institutional Trust
Lands Administration (Trust Lands)
and a rockhounding permit is required
to collect on these lands. A fee is
charged for the annual permit. Rockhounds
may collect up to 25 pounds
plus one piece per day, up to a
maximum of 250 pounds per year. This
permit does not authorize collection in
areas where active mining operations
are in progress or in areas that are
leased for the mineral being collected
unless permission is obtained from the
lessee. The permit does not authorize
collection on other state-administered
lands, such as state parks.
Commercial collectors must follow specific regulations and obtain a mineral lease or materials permit. For permits and fee information, contact the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administrations office 801-538-5100 (phone), 801-355-0922 (fax).
To access or collect on privately owned
lands, collectors must contact and
obtain permission from the owners
prior to entering the property.
Dinosaur and other vertebrate fossils may not be collected on any federal or state lands except by permits issued to accredited institutions. For more information, contact the land managing agency or the Paleontology Section at the Utah Geological Survey, 1594 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6100 Phone (801)-537-3300.
Rockhounding can be a potentially
dangerous hobby. To minimize the risk
of injury, please remember:
Taken from: geology.utah.gov