Where to Find Copper in New Mexico
New Mexico has 13 mapped collecting spots that report copper, spread across 5 counties. The largest share sits in Grant County with 5 spots. 12 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.
Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.
Map of 13 copper collecting spots in New Mexico
Best counties for copper in New Mexico
Ranked by the number of mapped copper spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
Every copper spot we track in New Mexico
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grandview CanyonWsmr South Route 306 | Doña Ana County | 32.9812, -106.5475 | Permission | |
| Bear MountainBear Mountain Road | Grant County | 32.8359, -108.3587 | Public | |
| Chapo Copper ProspectShipping Pens Road | Grant County | 31.8282, -108.2717 | Public | |
| Owens MineShipping Pens Road | Grant County | 31.8419, -108.2385 | Public | |
| Queen's Taste MineShipping Pens Road | Grant County | 31.8474, -108.2383 | Public | |
| Santa RitaNM 152 | Grant County | 32.8030, -108.0665 | Public | |
| RociadaFR 18 | Mora County | 35.8638, -105.4197 | Public | |
| Alice MineCounty Road A003 | Otero County | 32.3924, -106.1067 | Public | |
| Copper King No. 2 MineCounty Road A003 | Otero County | 32.3993, -106.1092 | Public | |
| Orogrande District ProspectCounty Road A003 | Otero County | 32.3987, -106.1037 | Public | |
| Orogrande District ProspectCounty Road A003 | Otero County | 32.3996, -106.1020 | Public | |
| PhiladelphiaCounty Road A003 | Otero County | 32.4147, -106.1130 | Public | |
| CubaEureka Mesa Road | Sandoval County | 35.9972, -106.9001 | Public |
Before you go
Read the copper identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Copper in the encyclopedia.
Copper in New Mexico FAQ
Where can you find copper in New Mexico?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Grant County, Otero County, and Doña Ana County. Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.
How many copper spots are mapped in New Mexico?+
13 spots across 5 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 copper 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. 12 of the 13 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find copper
More minerals to hunt in New Mexico
Hunt copper 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.
