Kilbourne Hole — Rockhounding in Doña Ana County, New Mexico
Kilbourne Hole is a BLM-managed maar crater and National Natural Landmark where volcanic bombs can contain bright olivine-rich interiors. BLM, Recreation.gov, and New Mexico Bureau of Geology rockhound material all point to its mantle xenolith and peridot appeal, a very different target from the state's agate and jasper localities. Reported finds include augite, peridot. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Kilbourne Hole photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material, with source and license attribution.
Map showing Kilbourne Hole in Doña Ana County, New Mexico
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Doña Ana County
- State
- New Mexico
- Coordinates
- 31.97343, -106.96603
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Sources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
State guidance last verified:
- Rockhound State Park — Collection rules
- BLM New Mexico
- New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Kilbourne Hole
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
- AugiteEncyclopedia →
- PeridotEncyclopedia →
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Kilbourne Hole.
- Las CrucesDoña Ana County, New Mexico · 22 mi awayObsidian
- OrganDoña Ana County, New Mexico · 37 mi awayBrochantite, Cerargyrite, Cerussite
- Rockhound State ParkTop pick in New MexicoLuna County, New Mexico · 41 mi awayAgate, Blue Chalcedony, Jasper
- Tres Hermanas MtsLuna County, New Mexico · 45 mi awayDumortierite, Hydrozincite, Pyrolusite
- ColumbusLuna County, New Mexico · 45 mi awayOnyx
- General Area (Luna County)Luna County, New Mexico · 50 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- HatchTop pick in New MexicoDoña Ana County, New Mexico · 52 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- General Area (calcite)Luna County, New Mexico · 52 mi awayCalcite, Fluorite
Across the state line from Kilbourne Hole
Kilbourne Hole is close enough to the New Mexico border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
Kilbourne Hole FAQ
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More rockhounding in New Mexico
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