Lee Russell & Kerr Canyons: Agate Rockhounding in Catron County, New Mexico

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Catron County

State

New Mexico

Nearest road

Toriette Lake Road

Coordinates

33.91672, -108.67263

Geology at Lee Russell & Kerr Canyons

This spot sits on ground mapped as Andesite of Dry Leggett Canyon (Ratté, 1989) that formed roughly 56 to 34 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this is where agate, jasper, and other chalcedony typically form, filling old gas pockets and fracture seams in the flow rock.

Mapped unit

Andesite of Dry Leggett Canyon (Ratté, 1989)

Age

56–34 Ma (Eocene)

Elevation

7,200 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 Lee Russell & Kerr Canyons

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 52°F in winter to 87°F in summer. At about 7,200 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, RESERVE RS station (15 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 Lee Russell & Kerr Canyons

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

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