Where to Find Turquoise
18 mapped turquoise spots across 6 regions. Pick a region for its local guide, or browse every spot below. Turquoise is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Every mapped turquoise spot
Best spotCoaldaleEsmeralda County, NevadaPublic access · Agate, Chert, Hyalite Opal +2- Best spotMount ChalchihuitlSanta Fe County, New MexicoPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Petrified Wood +1
Jarilla Mountains (copper)Otero County, New MexicoPublic access · Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla +6- Crescent PeakClark County, NevadaPublic access · Turquoise, Copper, Gold +4
Walker LakeMineral County, NevadaPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Fossil +2- Apache MineHidalgo County, New MexicoCheck locally · Calcite, Chrysocolla, Malachite +1
- Excelsior MountainMineral County, NevadaPublic access · Wonderstone, Turquoise, Variscite
- Area of Mineral Park & CerbatMohave County, ArizonaPublic access · Kaolin, Turquoise
- Mine dumps along Coronado TrailGreenlee County, ArizonaPublic access · Chrysocolla, Turquoise
- NE side of Carizo MtsCulberson County, TexasPublic access · Limonite, Turquoise
- Pleasant Grove ChurchClay County, AlabamaCheck locally · Copper, Turquoise
- Copper King MineEureka County, NevadaPublic access · Turquoise
- Fox MineElko County, NevadaCheck locally · Turquoise
- General AreaHudspeth County, TexasPublic access · Turquoise
- Royal Blue MineNye County, NevadaFee dig · Turquoise
- Sierra BlancHudspeth County, TexasPublic access · Turquoise
- Sugar Loaf PeakElko County, NevadaPublic access · Turquoise
- Willow Creek West Fork stream bedMineral County, ColoradoPublic access · Turquoise
Top regions for turquoise
Turquoise rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find turquoise?+
Nevada, New Mexico, Texas have the highest concentrations of turquoise in this list. Quality and access vary by area, so open the linked region pages for a detailed view.
How many turquoise rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
18 mapped spots across 6 regions. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect turquoise on public land?+
In the U.S., casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like turquoise is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Rules differ by country and region, so always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify turquoise in the field?+
Field identification of turquoise comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.
Hunt turquoise on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
