Black Hills Rockhound Area - Safford, AZ - a place to find minerals in Arizona

Black Hills rock hound area can be found approximately eighteen miles north of Safford between Safford and Clifton, Arizona. The rock hound area is just off of route 191. There is no regular maintenance performed on the unpaved road to the rock hound area of Black Hills behind the registry station. Portions of the road have steep cliffs and narrow drop offs, it is important to remember that uphill traffic has the right of way on the narrow roads as well.

Wide vehicles are not recommended for traveling the road to the Black Hills Rockhound Area and can be left in provided parking areas. It is recommended that you allow two hours to make the trip. While water is available for wildlife and livestock it is not advisable for people to consume it. Visitors to the Black Hills rockhounding area are advised to take all necessary provisions with them on their trip.

The Black Hills are the northern portion of the Peloncillo Mountains which is a volcanic mountain range with gravel and sand deposits. It is estimated by geologists that the area's volcanic activity began approximately 20 million years ago. The main attraction of rock collectors to the area is fire agate which is a fairly new gemstone. It was only formally recognized and identified during the 1930's. There are also various lava flows including ansesite, dacite and rhyolite in the area. The lava flows which are usually gray-brown and dark gray are layered with ash flows and falls the form deposits of cinders, tuffs and pumice. The color of ash deposits is normally light gray with yellow or red rues in them.

The rockhound area of Black Hills is open for the public to dig without a fee or permit required. Black Hills rockhound area allows camping for a period of two weeks at a time. It is important to remember that there are hazards when rockhounding just like with any other outdoor activity. During warmer months rattlesnakes can be found in portions of the Black Hills rockhound area. These include under ledges, old buildings, damp areas and rock slides.

Black Hills rockhounding area also has hazards that were unintentionally created by careless digging. For this reason all visitors to the area are asked to make sure that all holes dug are completely filled in when digging is completed to prevent them from becoming hazards to animals or people. Those building smoking or building fires in the area are also asked to ensure that both are completely out to help prevent fires from destroying the area. The Bureau of Land Management has declared that fires may only be built in designated areas within the Black Hills rockhounding area.

The Black Hills rockhound area is an amazing place for rock collectors to find interesting pieces for their collections. In addition to rockhounding the area offers hiking trails, a beautiful view of nature and wildlife. If you have an interest in rock collecting and find yourself in the Safford, Arizona area then the Black Hills rockhound area is a place that you have to visit before you leave.