Rockhounding Ethics & Code of Conduct

Access to public lands is a privilege, not a right. Irresponsible behavior leads to site closures. Always fill in your holes—livestock and people can break legs in open pits. Pack out what you pack in, and pick up trash left by others.

Don't dig under tree roots or destabilize slopes. Stick to established roads and trails; don't blaze new paths with your vehicle. Avoid contaminating water sources.

Don't collect on active claims without permission. If you meet other collectors, be courteous. Don't park right next to someone in a wide-open desert unless invited. Leave gates as you found them.

Don't be a hog. Take only what you can reasonably use or display. High-grading a site until nothing is left deprives future rockhounds of the joy of discovery. Collecting should be sustainable.