Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16: Llanite & Blue Quartz Rockhounding in Llano County, Texas

Public accessBest spot2 mineralsLlano County, TexasUpdated August 2026

Minerals reported: 2
Elevation: 1,350 ft
Best months: September to May

The roadcut on Texas Highway 16 about nine miles north of Llano slices through the only known outcrop of llanite, a 1.1-billion-year-old rhyolite porphyry flecked with blue quartz crystals found essentially nowhere else on Earth. The blue color comes from microscopic ilmenite inclusions in the quartz, set in a matrix studded with reddish microcline feldspar. It is the single publicly reachable exposure of the rock. Reported finds include llanite, blue quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Llano County
State: Texas
Coordinates: 30.87937, -98.65394

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Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Access note: Pull off at the gravel area beside the Highway 16 roadcut north of Llano near Baby Head and collect loose float pieces. The roadcut is public right-of-way, but do not dig the cut face, and stay off the adjoining private ranch and the private Miller Mine.

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.

Best time to visit Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16

61°J

65°F

72°M

79°A

85°M

92°J

95°J

96°A

89°S

80°O

70°N

62°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 95°F in midsummer and 61°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 32°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LLANO station (9 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16

This spot sits on Valley Spring Gneiss, mapped as paragneiss that formed roughly 2500 to 540 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this typically carries quartz veins and sweats, and weathered crystals tend to end up in the soils and streams below.

Mapped unit: Valley Spring Gneiss
Age: 2500–540 Ma (Proterozoic)
Rock types: paragneiss
Elevation: 1,350 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.

Today's weather

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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

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Bureau of Economic Geology, Texas geology
Big Bend National Park, Rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16

Each name 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 Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16.

Llano River at Grenwelge ParkLlano County, Texas · 9 mi awayBlue Quartz, Quartz, Almandine Garnet
The SlabLlano County, Texas · 17 mi awayLlanite, Rhyolite
Llano countyLlano County, Texas · 19 mi awayTopaz, Zircon
Fly Gap Road pegmatitesMason County, Texas · 23 mi awayAmazonite, Feldspar, Smoky Quartz
General AreaLlano County, Texas · 25 mi awayBarite, Serpentine, Soapstone
Hinton CreekSan Saba County, Texas · 26 mi awayChalcedony, Chert
Moss Ranch area near Enchanted RockLlano County, Texas · 28 mi awayEpidote, Pink Feldspar, Quartz
LampasasLampasas County, Texas · 30 mi awayFluorescent Calcite

Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16 FAQ

Where is Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16?+

Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16 is in Llano County, Texas, at 30.87937, -98.65394.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16?+

Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16 is reported to produce Llanite, Blue Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16?+

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 Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16?+

The most comfortable months at Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16 are September to May. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 30.87937, -98.65394 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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