Horse Camp Canyon: Agatized Wood Rockhounding in Catron County, New Mexico

Updated July 2026

Horse Camp Canyon is a mapped rockhounding spot in Catron County, New Mexico. Reported finds include agatized wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Catron County
State: New Mexico
Nearest road: New Mexico 36
Coordinates: 34.51439, -108.38033

Geology at Horse Camp Canyon

This spot sits on Alluvium, mapped as unconsolidated alluvium that formed within roughly the last 129,000 years. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: Alluvium
Age: < 1 Ma (Late Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: unconsolidated alluvium
Elevation: 7,100 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 Horse Camp Canyon

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 45°F in winter to 84°F in summer. At about 7,100 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, QUEMADO station (13 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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 Horse Camp Canyon

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Agatized Wood Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Horse Camp Canyon.

Horse Camp Canyon FAQ

Where is Horse Camp Canyon?+

Horse Camp Canyon is in Catron County, New Mexico, at 34.51439, -108.38033. Nearest road: New Mexico 36.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Horse Camp Canyon?+

Horse Camp Canyon is reported to produce Agatized Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Horse Camp Canyon?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Horse Camp Canyon?+

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 Horse Camp Canyon?+

Horse Camp Canyon is workable year-round. At about 7,100 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Horse Camp Canyon?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.51439, -108.38033 in Google Maps. The nearest road is New Mexico 36.

More rockhounding in New Mexico

See all 119 New Mexico spots →

Open Horse Camp Canyon on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.