Come experience the excitement of hunting for sparkling treasures at Sunstone Knoll! This special destination is a rockhounding paradise that offers the opportunity to find sunstones, also known as golden labradorite, in the area surrounding the knoll. The site is a great place for a family-friendly adventure and can be combined with a visit to the nearby Lace Curtain for a day full of geological wonders.
About Sunstone Knoll
Sunstone Knoll is thought to have been formed as far back as 1.6 million years ago through the eruption of volcanic vents that left behind volcanic deposits. The site is renowned for its sunstones — transparent, yellowish labradorite crystals that sparkle in the sunlight. These crystals can be found embedded in volcanic rocks and scattered across the surrounding flats. Hunting for these gems is an exciting way to spend an afternoon, particularly with kids, as the sunstones range from the size of small fingernails to larger yellow crystals.
Golden labradorite is believed to boost inner strength, vitality, courage, mental clarity, endurance, and spiritual focus. The sunstones at Sunstone Knoll are easily visible on sunny days, but if you’re hunting on a cloudy day, digging where others have dug and cracking open rocks to find the crystals within can be just as rewarding.
How to Get There
GPS COORDINATES:
Sunstone Knoll is about 11 miles south of Deseret, just east of the railroad tracks near Hwy. 257 and north of Clear Lake Road. Turn left over the railroad tracks and follow the road for about one-quarter mile onto the knoll.
Rockhounding Tips & Permit
Learn some expert tips from experienced rockhounds and get your rockhounding permit!
What to expect & how to prepare
Rockhounding tends to be an all-day activity.
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What to bring: Always have water on hand, and consider bringing a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes as you search for sunstones. If you’re dedicated to the hunt, bring protective eyewear and a rock hammer so you can break open the rocks safely. |
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Precautions: Collection on the flats should be easy for people of all ages, but take care not to mistake broken bottles for sunstone — and watch your step! Rattlesnakes have been spotted in the area. When you cross the railroad tracks, always check for trains. |
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Where to collect: You can usually find fractured pieces of sunstone and crystals in the lava rock cavities, but most people have to break the rock to expose the crystals. Remember to look for smaller stones up to one inch, as the larger ones are rare. |
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Collecting on BLM Lands: The casual rockhound or collector may take small amounts of fossils, gemstones, and rocks from unrestricted federal lands in Utah without obtaining a special permit if the collection is for personal, non-commercial purposes. Collection in large quantities or for commercial purposes requires a permit, lease, or license from the BLM. |
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Collecting on School Trust Lands: Most state lands are administered by the Schools and Institutional Trust Lands Administration. A rockhounding permit is required to collect on these lands. |
| • Please visit this website for current fee information. • Up to 25 pounds per day plus one piece per person is allowed. • The School Institutional and Trust Lands Administration is located at 675 East 500 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, or trustlands.utah.gov/resources. |
BEST TIME TO VISIT
You can visit Sunstone Knoll year round but aim to visit on a sunny day. Sunstones are much easier to spot when the sun reflects off their surface, mornings and evenings seem to be the ideal time to catch the sun’s reflections.
