Where to Find Copper in California: 777 Mapped Sites
California has 777 documented sites where copper have been reported, and the best-known are Gasquet Laterite, St. Christopher, and Martha Prospect. 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 777 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Copper Map: California
All 777 copper sites in California. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Copper Are Found in California
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 California: Gasquet Laterite, St. Christopher, Martha Prospect, Rush Creek Mines, France Claim.
Of the 777 sites, 2 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Copper Sites in California
- Gasquet Laterite — Forest Service
- St. Christopher — BLM/Public Lands
- Martha Prospect — BLM/Public Lands
- Rush Creek Mines — Forest Service
- France Claim — BLM/Public Lands
- Lake View Copper — BLM/Public Lands
- Lucky Slim — BLM/Public Lands
- Mohawk Mine Annex — BLM/Public Lands
- Northwest Area of Veins — BLM/Public Lands
- Webber — Forest Service
- Yaeger — Forest Service
- Yeager Mines — Forest Service
- Advance — Forest Service
- Aga Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Aga Prospect — BLM/Public Lands
- Alhambra Mine — Forest Service
- Augustine Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Beebe Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Belden Mine — Forest Service
- Bluff Creek Lode — Forest Service
- Cent — Forest Service
- College Girl Group — BLM/Public Lands
- Colorado Camp Group — BLM/Public Lands
- Donohoe Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Eva Bell — Forest Service
- Friday Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Galena Mine — Forest Service
- Gold Rose Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Howard — BLM/Public Lands
- King of Lead — Forest Service
- La Guria — BLM/Public Lands
- Masonic District — Forest Service
- Mcconkey Claim — BLM/Public Lands
- Mohawk Hill West — BLM/Public Lands
- Monongahela — Forest Service
- Mountain View and Proctor Mine — Forest Service
- Neptune #140, Phenix #141, and Creek Side#142 — BLM/Public Lands
- New Deal — BLM/Public Lands
- Old Gold Mines — BLM/Public Lands
- Pay-Day — Forest Service
- Quartz Point Prospect — Forest Service
- Randolph and Hamilton — BLM/Public Lands
- Rattle Snake Group — State Park
- Rattle Snake Group — State Park
- Red Jacket — Forest Service
- Ridge — Forest Service
- Ridge Claim — Forest Service
- Robinson — Forest Service
- Silver Princess Nos. 1-4 — Forest Service
- Southwest Condor Extension — BLM/Public Lands
Showing 50 of 777 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 California?
California has 777 mapped sites where copper have been reported. The best-known are Gasquet Laterite, St. Christopher, and Martha Prospect. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many copper sites are mapped in California?
We have 777 documented copper sites in California, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect copper 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 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.
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.