Mount Chalchihuitl — Rockhounding in Santa Fe County, New Mexico
Mount Chalchihuitl is tied to the Cerrillos turquoise district, one of New Mexico's defining prehistoric and historic turquoise sources. Mindat records turquoise for the Chalchihuitl Mine, and Cerrillos Hills plus New Mexico Geological Society references describe the hill as an important early turquoise-mining locality rather than a generic Santa Fe gravel stop. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, petrified wood, turquoise. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Mount Chalchihuitl in Santa Fe County, New Mexico
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Santa Fe County
- State
- New Mexico
- Nearest road
- Gravel Pit Road
- Coordinates
- 35.47015, -106.11255
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 Mount Chalchihuitl
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 Mount Chalchihuitl.
- Turquoise Hill and surrounding areaSanta Fe County, New Mexico · 3 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- San Pedro MountainsSanta Fe County, New Mexico · 15 mi awayChalcopyrite, Chalcocite
- Santa Fe National ForestSanta Fe County, New Mexico · 17 mi awayAgate, Apache Tears, Jasper
- Tijeras CanyonBernalillo County, New Mexico · 32 mi awayFluorite
- PecosSan Miguel County, New Mexico · 32 mi awayActinolite, Garnet, Lepidolite
- Jemez National Recreation AreaTop pick in New MexicoSandoval County, New Mexico · 39 mi awayObsidian, Opalized Wood
- AlbuquerqueSandoval County, New Mexico · 46 mi awayAgatized Wood
- RociadaMora County, New Mexico · 47 mi awayChalcocite, Copper, Molybdenite
Mount Chalchihuitl FAQ
Why is Mount Chalchihuitl one of the best rockhounding spots in New Mexico?+
Where is Mount Chalchihuitl?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Mount Chalchihuitl?+
Is collecting allowed at Mount Chalchihuitl?+
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More rockhounding in New Mexico
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