Rio Puerco Valley: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Bernalillo County, New Mexico

Updated June 2026

Rio Puerco Valley is a mapped rockhounding spot in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, jasper, opalized wood, agatized wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Bernalillo County
State: New Mexico
Coordinates: 35.07551, -106.94886

Geology at Rio Puerco Valley

This spot sits on ground mapped as Floodplain deposits of the Rio Grande, Rio Puerco, and Jemez River that formed within roughly the last 12,000 years. Petrified wood typically shows up as durable float on slopes and in washes cut into ground like this.

Mapped unit: Floodplain deposits of the Rio Grande, Rio Puerco, and Jemez River
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Elevation: 5,280 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.

Best time to visit Rio Puerco Valley

Best months: August to May. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 50°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PETROGLYPH NATL MON station (14 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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.

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.

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

Rockhound State Park — Collection rules
BLM New Mexico
New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Rio Puerco Valley

Each chip 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 Rio Puerco Valley.

Rio Puerco Valley FAQ

Where is Rio Puerco Valley?+

Rio Puerco Valley is in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, at 35.07551, -106.94886.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Rio Puerco Valley?+

Rio Puerco Valley is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Opalized Wood, Agatized Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Rio Puerco Valley?+

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 Rio Puerco Valley?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit Rio Puerco Valley?+

The most comfortable months at Rio Puerco Valley are August to May.

How do I get to Rio Puerco Valley?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 35.07551, -106.94886 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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Open Rio Puerco Valley on the map

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