Sunnyside Mine: Aquamarine & Beryl Rockhounding in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico

Updated June 2026

Sunnyside Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. Reported finds include aquamarine, beryl. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Rio Arriba County
State: New Mexico
Coordinates: 36.45395, -106.04939

Geology at Sunnyside Mine

This spot sits on metasedimentary rocks, mapped as pelitic schist, muscovite schist, and quartzite that formed roughly 2500 to 1600 million years ago. Metamorphic belts like this often host pegmatite dikes, the coarse-crystal bodies that typically carry beryl, tourmaline, and sheet mica.

Mapped unit: metasedimentary rocks
Age: 2500–1600 Ma (Paleoproterozoic)
Rock types: pelitic schist, muscovite schist, and quartzite
Elevation: 7,680 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Sunnyside Mine

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 15°F. At about 7,680 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, EL RITO station (11 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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: April 1, 2026

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 Sunnyside Mine

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 Sunnyside Mine.

Sunnyside Mine FAQ

Where is Sunnyside Mine?+

Sunnyside Mine is in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, at 36.45395, -106.04939.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Sunnyside Mine?+

Sunnyside Mine is reported to produce Aquamarine, Beryl.

Is collecting allowed at Sunnyside Mine?+

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. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Sunnyside Mine?+

A rock hammer, a pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses suit pegmatite ground. Work weathered zones and check dump piles; coarse crystals often sit in decomposed rock.

When is the best time to visit Sunnyside Mine?+

The most comfortable months at Sunnyside Mine are March to November. At about 7,680 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Sunnyside Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.45395, -106.04939 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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