Where to Find Chert in New Mexico
New Mexico has 9 mapped collecting spots that report chert, spread across 6 counties. The largest share sits in Sierra County County with 3 spots. 9 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.
Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.
Map of 9 chert collecting spots in New Mexico
Best counties for chert in New Mexico
Ranked by the number of mapped chert spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
Every chert spot we track in New Mexico
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meerschaum area surfacesNM 15 | Grant County | 33.0511, -108.1947 | Public | |
| General Area (Luna County) | Luna County | 32.3316, -107.7059 | Public | |
| La Madera (dumortierite area) | Rio Arriba County |
| 36.3810, -106.0346 | Public |
| Pedernal Park | Rio Arriba County | 36.1920, -106.4898 | Public | |
| NW San Juan County | San Juan County |
| 36.7617, -108.6553 | Public |
| Turquoise Hill and surrounding areaBonanza Creek Road | Santa Fe County | 35.5135, -106.0956 | Public | |
| DerryLost Hill | Sierra County | 32.7883, -107.2531 | Public | |
| Elephant ButteNM 51 | Sierra County | 33.1729, -107.0448 | Public | |
| Mimbres MountainsTrail #135 | Sierra County | 32.8441, -107.7360 | Public |
Before you go
Read the chert identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Chert in the encyclopedia.
Chert in New Mexico FAQ
Where can you find chert in New Mexico?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Sierra County County, Rio Arriba County County, and Grant County County. Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.
How many chert spots are mapped in New Mexico?+
9 spots across 6 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.
Is it legal to collect chert in New Mexico?+
Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 9 of the 9 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find chert
More minerals to hunt in New Mexico
Hunt chert in New Mexico with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.
