Legal Guide: Public Land vs. Mining Claims
Critical information on where you can legally collect. Avoid claim jumping and know your rights.
Know Before You Go
The most important rule of rockhounding is knowing land ownership. collecting is generally allowed on public lands managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and US Forest Service, but there are exceptions. National Parks and Monuments are strictly off-limits for collecting.
Mining Claims Explained
A mining claim gives an individual or company the exclusive right to the minerals on a specific piece of public land. You cannot collect on an active mining claim without the owner's permission. Doing so is 'claim jumping' and is illegal. Claims are marked with posts or monuments, but you should always check current claim maps (like the BLM's MLRS) before you head out.
Casual Use vs. Commercial
Most public lands allow 'casual use' collecting, which means small amounts for personal use using hand tools only. If you plan to sell what you find, or if you want to use mechanized equipment, you likely need a permit or your own claim.
Private Property
Never enter private property without explicit permission. In many western states, land ownership is a checkerboard of public and private. Use apps like onX Hunt or Gaia GPS to see property lines in real-time.