Jemez National Recreation Area — Rockhounding in Sandoval County, New Mexico
The Jemez National Recreation Area sits in one of New Mexico's most visible volcanic landscapes, within the Santa Fe National Forest's Jemez Ranger District. Forest Service materials document the managed public recreation area, and the National Park Service notes obsidian deposits on the edge of Bandelier and elsewhere in the Jemez Mountains, making this a strong northern New Mexico volcanic-glass entry. Reported finds include obsidian, opalized wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Jemez National Recreation Area photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material, with source and license attribution.
Map showing Jemez National Recreation Area in Sandoval County, New Mexico
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Sandoval County
- State
- New Mexico
- Nearest road
- East Fork Trail (137)
- Postcode
- 87025
- Coordinates
- 35.82832, -106.64160
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 Jemez National Recreation Area
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 Jemez National Recreation Area.
- Nacimiento MountainsSandoval County, New Mexico · 18 mi awayAgate, Azurite, Chalcedony
- CubaSandoval County, New Mexico · 19 mi awayCopper, Chrysocolla
- CoyoteRio Arriba County, New Mexico · 23 mi awayAzurite, Malachite
- YoungsvilleRio Arriba County, New Mexico · 25 mi awayAgate
- Santa Fe National ForestSanta Fe County, New Mexico · 25 mi awayAgate, Apache Tears, Jasper
- Pedernal ParkRio Arriba County, New Mexico · 27 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- Abiquiu LakeRio Arriba County, New Mexico · 30 mi awayAgate
- Ghost RanchRio Arriba County, New Mexico · 34 mi awayAgate
Jemez National Recreation Area FAQ
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More rockhounding in New Mexico
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