Los Lunas: Red Agate & Banded Agate Rockhounding in Valencia County, New Mexico

Updated June 2026

Los Lunas is a mapped rockhounding spot in Valencia County, New Mexico. Reported finds include red agate, banded agate, apache tear, agatized wood, obsidian. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Valencia County
State: New Mexico
Coordinates: 34.75752, -106.89353

Geology at Los Lunas

This spot sits on Piedmont alluvial deposits, mapped as unconsolidated alluvium that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: Piedmont alluvial deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: unconsolidated alluvium
Elevation: 5,200 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 Los Lunas

Best months: August to May. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 50°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 18°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LOS LUNAS 3 SSW station (8 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 Los Lunas

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 Los Lunas.

Los Lunas FAQ

Where is Los Lunas?+

Los Lunas is in Valencia County, New Mexico, at 34.75752, -106.89353.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Los Lunas?+

Los Lunas is reported to produce Red Agate, Banded Agate, Apache Tear, Agatized Wood, Obsidian.

Is collecting allowed at Los Lunas?+

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 Los Lunas?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit Los Lunas?+

The most comfortable months at Los Lunas are August to May.

How do I get to Los Lunas?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.75752, -106.89353 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in New Mexico

See all 143 New Mexico spots →

Open Los Lunas on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.