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Where to Find Copper in Alaska: 219 Mapped Sites

Alaska has 219 documented sites where copper have been reported, and the best-known are Sischu Mountain, Glacier Basin, and Groundhog Basin. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 1 of the 219 sites is on public-access land.

Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology

Copper Map: Alaska

All 219 copper sites in Alaska. Click a pin for the full site report.

Where Copper Are Found in Alaska

Look on old mine dumps in copper districts and, in the Lake Superior country, in basalt flows and glacial float. Oxidized surface zones of copper deposits also carry malachite, azurite, and cuprite.

The richest reported sites in Alaska: Sischu Mountain, Glacier Basin, Groundhog Basin, Kayak Island, Little Minook Creek.

Of the 219 sites, 1 is public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.

All Copper Sites in Alaska

Showing 50 of 219 sites — every site appears on the map above.

How to Identify Copper

Native copper shows a salmon-red metallic gleam on any fresh or scratched surface, usually hiding under a green or black tarnish crust. It is malleable — a hammer dents it rather than shattering it — and far heavier than the rock around it. Green malachite staining on outcrop is the classic pointer to copper mineralization nearby.

Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find copper in Alaska?

Alaska has 219 mapped sites where copper have been reported. The best-known are Sischu Mountain, Glacier Basin, and Groundhog Basin. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.

How many copper sites are mapped in Alaska?

We have 219 documented copper sites in Alaska, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.

Is it legal to collect copper in Alaska?

Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.

How do I identify copper?

Native copper shows a salmon-red metallic gleam on any fresh or scratched surface, usually hiding under a green or black tarnish crust. It is malleable — a hammer dents it rather than shattering it — and far heavier than the rock around it. Green malachite staining on outcrop is the classic pointer to copper mineralization nearby.

What should I bring to collect copper?

The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.

⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.

All rockhounding in Alaska →
The full Alaska map — every mineral, every site.
Gold prospecting in Alaska →
Panning creeks, placer ground, and historic districts.

More to Find in Alaska

Malachite (209)Silver (160)Fossils (140)Agates (12)Petrified Wood (5)Jade (3)Fluorite (3)

Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System, community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.