Rockhounds of all ages will love this adventure that takes you way out to Utah’s West Desert near Dugway. Grab a shovel, a few buckets, and gas up your vehicle…this is one day of digging that’s fun for everyone in the family.

Make your way out west to find a barren, but beautiful part of Utah. The West Desert area is vast and wild, and it has a special allure for rockhounds.
Chad Searle/Google Local
Make sure to fill your tank with gas before heading out to the Dugway area. If you're coming from Salt Lake City, you'll take Interstate-80 to the Stansbury Park/Tooele exit, then drive another 33 miles to Pony Express Road. From there, it's another 50 miles before you reach the turnoff. You definitely don't want to run out of gas out here!
In addition to a full tank of gas, make sure you have a spare tire, plenty of water, and some snacks. You'll also want to bring some tools - shovels, buckets, a hammer and a chisel.
Hollie Bingham/Google Local
During your long drive, keep your eyes peeled for some of the wildlife that calls this part of Utah home. Pronghorn antelope are plentiful out here...
BrianBaity/Tripadvisor
...and if you're lucky, you might even run across one of the herds of wild horses in the area.
Mike Feidler/Google Local
Watch for the sign that points you to the Dugway Geobeds.
Hollie Bingham/Google Local

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The dirt road takes you right up to the digging area, and you can park your vehicle there. This area is so remote that you might have it all to yourself.
Ryan Terry/Google Local
This area is managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, and it's free to visit and dig for geodes.
Henrik Nordberg/Google Local
So what, exactly are you looking for? These round balls that look like rocks! They're typically around two to four inches, and are dark gray or tan. They might not look like much on the outside, but these are geodes, and they contain a beautiful surprise inside.
Kelly Husted/Google Local
If you just can't wait til you get home to see what these look like on the inside, grab your hammer and chisel and use the tools to break the geode in half.
Mike Feidler/Google Local
Inside, you'll find beautiful quartz! The quartz might be clear, purple (a.k.a. amethyst) or pink.
If you can wait til you get home to open your geodes, you can cut them open using a power saw with a carbide-tipped blade. This gives your geode a more clean cut, and you can polish the cut edges to make a pretty keepsake.
Troy Olsen/Google Local
Spend an entire afternoon out here, and bring home as many treasures as you can find!
Anfaney Gladwin/Google Local

Visit the Bureau of Land Management’s website to get directions to the Dugway Geode Beds and learn more. Have you dug for geodes here? We’d love to read about your adventure, and see pics of your treasures!

Read more about the wild horses that live out in this area in our feature article here.

 

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