If you’re curious about where to see and collect gypsum in the US, you’re in the right place. The US is home to some incredible spots known for their gypsum crystals.

From the sparkling salt flats of California to the rugged deserts of Arizona, these locations offer a glimpse into the natural world of minerals. Each place has its own story and type of gypsum, making it exciting to visit and see what you can find.

Great Gypsum-Hunting Areas

Gypsum is a pretty common mineral. In the United States, you can find three different types of gypsum: alabaster, selenite, and satin spar. Each one is cool in its own way and can be found in various places across the country.

Perry Park, Colorado

Perry Park is a pretty area filled with green trees, rocky landscapes, and open spaces where you can see the sky touch the mountains. It’s a place where nature shows off its beauty, with wildlife roaming around and flowers blooming in spring.

People who visit Perry Park have lots of fun things to do, like hiking on the trails, playing golf, or having picnics with their families. It’s also a great spot for bird watching or just relaxing and taking in the fresh air and scenic views.

You can find three types of gypsum: selenite, satin spar, and alabaster. These gypsum varieties can be discovered in the park’s rock formations and soil layers, especially at the base of the rock formations and in the softer ground areas.

Benson, Arizona

Benson, located in Cochise County, is a small town surrounded by wide-open spaces and desert landscapes. The area has its own charm with clear blue skies and distant mountain views that create a serene backdrop.

There are plenty of things to keep you busy, like exploring the local history at museums, walking through the historic downtown, or hiking nearby trails.

You can find also find satin spar deposits in Benson. These deposits are usually seen in the desert areas around the town, in the soil and among the rocks.

Murfreesboro, Arkansas

Murfreesboro is a small, welcoming town with lush greenery and a peaceful atmosphere. Its landscape is dotted with trees, small lakes, and a picturesque countryside that makes you feel right at home.

Visitors to Murfreesboro can enjoy a range of activities, from fishing in the local lakes to exploring the nearby state parks. There’s also the opportunity to learn about the town’s history at local museums or relax in one of the cozy cafes downtown.

The famed Crater of Diamonds State Park can also be found in Murfreesboro. You can scour the fields of the park for a chance to find rough diamonds as well as other gems.

Aside from diamonds, you can find both selenite and satin spar in Murfreesboro. They can usually be found in the ground around the area, often near water sources like rivers or lakes.

St. David, Arizona

St. David in Cochise County is a peaceful place with wide open spaces and beautiful, natural landscapes. The area is filled with desert plants, and you can see mountains in the distance under the big, clear sky.

People in St. David enjoy outdoor activities like hiking in the nearby hills and visiting local farms. It’s also a nice place for horseback riding or just enjoying a quiet walk in the countryside.

In addition, you can find Arizona minerals like satin spar in this area. These minerals are mostly found in the soil and rock areas outside the town, especially near dry riverbeds and natural desert washes.

San Rafael Swell, Utah

San Rafael Swell is a vast area with striking rock formations, deep canyons, and desert landscapes. It’s known for its rugged beauty, with layers of earth showing millions of years of history.

When you come to this place, you can enjoy a lot of outdoor activities like hiking through the scenic canyons, camping under the stars, and mountain biking on challenging trails.

It’s also a great place for photography, thanks to the stunning natural scenery.

It’s also possible to find and collect selenite crystals and satin spar. You might be able to find them in the sedimentary rock layers and near the surface of the desert soil, especially in areas that have been eroded by water over time.

Patagonia, Arizona

Patagonia, located in Santa Cruz County, is a small town surrounded by lush landscapes and rolling hills. It’s a place where nature thrives, with streams, trees, and a variety of wildlife that makes it a picturesque spot.

You can enjoy a lot of outdoor fun like bird watching, since it’s known for its amazing variety of birds. There are also trails for hiking and spots for picnicking, making it a perfect place for a day outside with family or friends.

Around Patagonia, you might also come across some satin spar crystals. They’re often located in the surrounding hills and valleys, where natural erosion exposes them, making it easier to see these cool rocks.

Hanksville, Utah

Hanksville is a small town surrounded by a stunning desert landscape. The area features wide open spaces, with rock formations and red sand that stretch as far as the eye can see.

Visitors to Hanksville can enjoy outdoor adventures like hiking in the nearby national parks, rafting on the river, and exploring the unique geological formations. The town serves as a great base for trips to explore the natural beauty of southern Utah, offering clear skies for stargazing at night.

In Hanksville, gypsum is found in the form of selenite. These minerals are often discovered in the dry, sedimentary layers surrounding the town and in the desert areas, where the conditions are right for gypsum to form.

Great Salt Plains, Oklahoma

The Great Salt Plains are an expansive area with a vast, flat landscape covered in salt left over from an ancient sea. It’s a striking sight, with its white, crystalline ground sparkling under the sun against a backdrop of clear blue skies.

People visiting the Great Salt Plains can enjoy a variety of activities, including horseback riding, canoeing and kayaking, biking, fishing, and more.

Another remarkable attraction in the area is the hourglass selenite crystals. These crystals can typically be found and collected along the shoreline of the lake.

Searles Lake, California

Searles Lake is actually a dry lake bed that has a vast, flat landscape. It’s known for its white and pinkish salt flats that stretch out into the distance.

Visitors to Searles Lake can take part in guided tours to learn about the lake’s geology and history. The area is also popular for photography enthusiasts who come to capture the striking beauty of the salt flats against the backdrop of the surrounding mountains.

At Searles Lake, you can find a variety of selenite crystals. These crystals are often discovered within the layers of salt and minerals that make up the lake bed and are typically quite clear and transparent.

Ellsworth, Ohio

Ellsworth is a small, quiet town with wide-open fields and patches of forest. It has a cozy feel, with farmhouses scattered across the landscape and a sense of community in the air.

While it’s a small town, you can enjoy outdoor activities like walking through the woods, picnicking in the open fields, or fishing in the local ponds.

You can find selenite crystals around Ellsworth. These crystals are usually found in the soil of the fields and along the edges of the woods, and they’re typically clear and somewhat small.

Darwin Hills, California

Darwin Hills is a rugged and remote landscape filled with rocky hills and sparse vegetation. The area offers stunning views of the desert and the distant mountains, providing a sense of vastness and solitude.

Here, there are wide-open spaces that you can explore on foot or by off-road vehicle. It’s also a good place for photography, capturing the unique rock formations and the changing colors of the landscape at sunrise and sunset.

You can also come across clear and well-formed selenite crystals. These crystals are often discovered in the dry lake beds and the soil of the desert.

Nicholasville, Kentucky

Nicholasville is a charming town with a mix of modern and traditional. Its streets are lined with shops, restaurants, and historic homes.

The local parks and other historic sites are definitely worth exploring, and you can also go shopping at unique local businesses. There’s also plenty of outdoor fun to be had, from playing sports to exploring the beautiful Kentucky countryside.

In the area and mines around Nicholasville, you can find selenite crystals that are almost as clear as glass. These crystals are typically found underground in the limestone regions, which are common in Kentucky.

Toquima Range, Nevada

The Toquima Range is a rugged and beautiful mountain area. It’s known for its tall peaks, wide valleys, and stunning views of the Nevada landscape.

You can go hiking on its many trails, camp under the stars, or enjoy wildlife watching in its natural habitat. It’s also a perfect spot for photography enthusiasts to capture the beauty of the Nevada wilderness.

The selenite crystals you can find here are quite interesting. They can come in larger crystals, but they can also appear as needle-like formations.

Fargo, North Dakota

Fargo is a bustling city with a blend of modern and historical elements. The streets are lined with shops, restaurants, and cultural venues, making it lively and welcoming.

There’s a lot that you can do, including visiting museums, catching a show at the theater, or exploring outdoor parks. The city also hosts various festivals and events throughout the year.

If you explore more, however, you can find a variety of North Dakota crystals. These include translucent selenite crystals in rose-like formations, as opposed to the typical clear selenite sheets.