Fort Bayard — Rockhounding in Grant County, New Mexico
Fort Bayard is a mapped rockhounding spot in Grant County, New Mexico. Reported finds include common opal, fire opal. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Fort Bayard in Grant County, New Mexico
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Grant County
- State
- New Mexico
- Postcode
- 88036
- Coordinates
- 32.80267, -108.13921
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 Fort Bayard
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Fort Bayard.
- Santa RitaGrant County, New Mexico · 4 mi awayCopper, Cuprite, Molybdenite
- GeorgetownGrant County, New Mexico · 7 mi awayArgentite, Descloizite
- Sapillo CreekGrant County, New Mexico · 16 mi awayGeode, Carnelian
- Meerschaum area surfacesGrant County, New Mexico · 17 mi awayChert
- Burro PeakGrant County, New Mexico · 22 mi awayAzurite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite
- Alum MountainGrant County, New Mexico · 23 mi awayGeode, Carnelian
- Mimbres MountainsSierra County, New Mexico · 24 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- KingstonSierra County, New Mexico · 26 mi awayQuartz, Quartz Clusters
Across the state line from Fort Bayard
Fort Bayard 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.
- Both sides of Mule Creek RoadGreenlee County, Arizona · 57 mi awayChalcedony Geode
- York AreaTop pick in ArizonaGreenlee County, Arizona · 63 mi awayFire Agate, Banded Agate, Carnelian
- 1 mi. N of old Three-Way drive-in theaterTop pick in ArizonaGreenlee County, Arizona · 65 mi awayFire Agate, Chalcedony
- N of Mulligan PeakGreenlee County, Arizona · 68 mi awayPurple Agate
- W of Mulligan PeakGreenlee County, Arizona · 68 mi awayNodules
- Ward CanyonGreenlee County, Arizona · 68 mi awayRed Agate
Fort Bayard FAQ
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What rocks and minerals can you find at Fort Bayard?+
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More rockhounding in New Mexico
See all 119 New Mexico spots →Open Fort Bayard on the map
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