Petrified Wood near Las Cruces, NM
4 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Las Cruces report petrified wood. The closest is Jornada Valley, about 58 miles out (1 hr 13 min drive).
Petrified wood is ancient wood replaced cell by cell with silica. It concentrates where volcanic ash buried forests, and weathered pieces collect as float on desert slopes and in washes.
Map of 4 petrified wood collecting spots within 150 miles of Las Cruces, New Mexico
Closest petrified wood spots to Las Cruces
- Jornada ValleySierra County, New Mexico58 mi · 1 hr 13 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Elixirite
- Mud Springs MountainsSierra County, New Mexico66 mi · 1 hr 23 min driveAgate, Opalized Wood, Silicified Wood
- Quitman Mountains (South)Hudspeth County, Texas112 mi · 2 hr 20 min driveAgate, Amethyst, Carnelian
- Red Rock SpringSocorro County, New Mexico144 mi · 3 hr driveAgatized Picture Wood, Petrified Cycad, Petrified Palm
Types of petrified wood reported near Las Cruces
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Petrified Palm2
- Petrified Wood2
- Agatized Picture Wood1
- Opalized Wood1
- Petrified Cycad1
- Silicified Wood1
Every petrified wood spot within 150 miles of Las Cruces
Sorted by distance from Las Cruces. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jornada ValleyUpham Road | Sierra County |
| 33.1363, -107.0245 | Public |
| Mud Springs Mountains | Sierra County |
| 33.1665, -107.2975 | Public |
| Quitman Mountains (South) | Hudspeth County | 31.1005, -105.5080 | Public | |
| Red Rock Spring | Socorro County |
| 34.3506, -107.2989 | Public |
Petrified Wood near Las Cruces FAQ
Where can I find petrified wood near Las Cruces?+
4 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Las Cruces report petrified wood. The closest is Jornada Valley in Sierra County County, roughly 58 miles away (1 hr 13 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect petrified wood on public land near Las Cruces?+
4 of the 4 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
How can I tell petrified wood from plain rock?+
Look for wood structure: parallel grain lines, growth rings on cut ends, and bark texture on the outside. Petrified palm shows a distinctive rod-and-dot pattern instead of rings. Plain jasper and chert show none of these, even when the color looks woody.
How far from Las Cruces do I need to drive?+
The nearest petrified wood spot is about 58 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 144 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Las Cruces
Petrified Wood near other cities
Hunt petrified wood around Las Cruces with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
