Playas Lake — Rockhounding in Hidalgo County, New Mexico
Playas Lake is a mapped rockhounding spot in Hidalgo County, New Mexico. Reported finds include fluorite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Playas Lake in Hidalgo County, New Mexico
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Hidalgo County
- State
- New Mexico
- Coordinates
- 31.84159, -108.57718
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 Playas Lake
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 Playas Lake.
- HachitaGrant County, New Mexico · 10 mi awayCerussite, Silver, Stilbite
- Apache MineHidalgo County, New Mexico · 16 mi awayCalcite, Chrysocolla, Malachite
- Big Hatchet MountainsHidalgo County, New Mexico · 20 mi awayAgate, Moss Opal
- Pyramid MountainsHidalgo County, New Mexico · 26 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Granite GapHidalgo County, New Mexico · 29 mi awayArgentite, Cerussite, Cuprite
- Pyramid PeakHidalgo County, New Mexico · 31 mi awayFluorite
- Shakespeare Ghost TownHidalgo County, New Mexico · 35 mi awayAzurite, Bornite, Galena
- Big Diggins MineLuna County, New Mexico · 40 mi awayAgate
Playas Lake FAQ
Where is Playas Lake?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Playas Lake?+
Is collecting allowed at Playas Lake?+
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More rockhounding in New Mexico
See all 119 New Mexico spots →Open Playas Lake on the map
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