Where to Find Malachite in Washington: 146 Mapped Sites
Washington has 146 documented sites where malachite have been reported, and the best-known are Sunrise Prospect, Billygoat, and Little Noisy Mine. 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 146 sites is on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Malachite Map: Washington
All 146 malachite sites in Washington. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Malachite Are Found in Washington
Malachite forms wherever copper ore oxidizes near the surface, so old copper-mine dumps and green-stained outcrops are the reliable places. It often coats fracture faces in the host rock.
The richest reported sites in Washington: Sunrise Prospect, Billygoat, Little Noisy Mine, Magma, Monte Cristo.
Of the 146 sites, 1 is public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Malachite Sites in Washington
- Sunrise Prospect — Forest Service
- Billygoat — Forest Service
- Little Noisy Mine — Forest Service
- Magma — Forest Service
- Monte Cristo — Public Access
- Sampson — Forest Service
- Silver Horseshoe — Forest Service
- Black Jack Prospect — Forest Service
- Chinook — Forest Service
- Comstock — BLM/Public Lands
- Frick Tungsten — Forest Service
- Gold Mountain — Forest Service
- Gubser Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Jennie — Forest Service
- Margaret — Forest Service
- Nesta Prospect — Forest Service
- Pomeroy — Forest Service
- Talisman — Forest Service
- Akishin Claim — Forest Service
- Apex — Forest Service
- Aztec Claim — BLM/Public Lands
- Brooks — BLM/Public Lands
- Brooks — BLM/Public Lands
- Cascade — Forest Service
- Comstock — Forest Service
- Eureka — Forest Service
- Eureka — Forest Service
- Gold Bar — BLM/Public Lands
- Gold Hill — Forest Service
- Hanks — Forest Service
- Hidden Treasure — Forest Service
- Hoodoo Prospect — Forest Service
- Index Gold — Forest Service
- Jennie — Forest Service
- Kaaba-Texas — BLM/Public Lands
- Lancaster — BLM/Public Lands
- La Sota Mine — Forest Service
- Lead Horse Claim — Forest Service
- Little Chief Prospect — Forest Service
- Locality 14 — Forest Service
- Mackinaw — Forest Service
- Middleport — Forest Service
- Milwaukee Prospect — Forest Service
- Mineral Mines — Forest Service
- Monterey — BLM/Public Lands
- Mount Phelps — Forest Service
- Myrtle C. — Forest Service
- New Hope — Forest Service
- North Pole — Forest Service
- O.K. — Forest Service
Showing 50 of 146 sites — every site appears on the map above.
How to Identify Malachite
Malachite is unmistakably green — from bright emerald crusts to dark banded masses — with a silky-to-dull luster and a pale green streak. It is soft (3.5–4, scratches with a knife easily) and fizzes gently in vinegar. Banded, rounded (botryoidal) surfaces are classic. Blue azurite alongside it is a bonus find from the same chemistry.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find malachite in Washington?
Washington has 146 mapped sites where malachite have been reported. The best-known are Sunrise Prospect, Billygoat, and Little Noisy Mine. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many malachite sites are mapped in Washington?
We have 146 documented malachite sites in Washington, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect malachite in Washington?
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 malachite?
Malachite is unmistakably green — from bright emerald crusts to dark banded masses — with a silky-to-dull luster and a pale green streak. It is soft (3.5–4, scratches with a knife easily) and fizzes gently in vinegar. Banded, rounded (botryoidal) surfaces are classic. Blue azurite alongside it is a bonus find from the same chemistry.
What should I bring to collect malachite?
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.