Where to Find Calcite in California: 22 Mapped Sites
California has 22 documented sites where calcite have been reported, and the best-known are Lights Creek Copper Deposits, Masonic District, and Blue Moon. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 2 of the 22 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Calcite Map: California
All 22 calcite sites in California. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Calcite Are Found in California
Calcite fills cavities and veins in limestone country and rides along in ore veins nearly everywhere. Quarries, roadcuts in limestone, and mine dumps all produce it.
The richest reported sites in California: Lights Creek Copper Deposits, Masonic District, Blue Moon, Blue Ledge, Reward Mine.
Of the 22 sites, 2 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Calcite Sites in California
- Lights Creek Copper Deposits — Forest Service
- Masonic District — Forest Service
- Blue Moon — BLM/Public Lands
- Blue Ledge — Forest Service
- Reward Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Standard — BLM/Public Lands
- Headlight — Forest Service
- Mammoth Cons. — Forest Service
- Ord Mountain — BLM/Public Lands
- Santa Rosa — BLM/Public Lands
- Scheelite Nugget — Forest Service
- Wonder — BLM/Public Lands
- Crescent Copper Group — BLM/Public Lands
- Pickup — Forest Service
- Carbonate Prospect — BLM/Public Lands
- Chocolate Drop Group — BLM/Public Lands
- Jackass — BLM/Public Lands
- Keystone Group — BLM/Public Lands
- Eagle Crags — Public Access
- Leech Lake Area — Public Access
- Silver Bell — BLM/Public Lands
- Lost Cabin — Forest Service
How to Identify Calcite
Calcite is the fizz test mineral: a drop of vinegar bubbles on it. Hardness 3 — a knife or even a copper coin scratches it — and it cleaves into perfect rhombohedra, so broken pieces are little slanted boxes. Crystals range from dogtooth points to flat plates in nearly any color, and many localities fluoresce red or orange under UV light.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find calcite in California?
California has 22 mapped sites where calcite have been reported. The best-known are Lights Creek Copper Deposits, Masonic District, and Blue Moon. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many calcite sites are mapped in California?
We have 22 documented calcite sites in California, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect calcite in California?
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 calcite?
Calcite is the fizz test mineral: a drop of vinegar bubbles on it. Hardness 3 — a knife or even a copper coin scratches it — and it cleaves into perfect rhombohedra, so broken pieces are little slanted boxes. Crystals range from dogtooth points to flat plates in nearly any color, and many localities fluoresce red or orange under UV light.
What should I bring to collect calcite?
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.
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.