Moreno Creek: Gold Prospecting in Colfax County, New Mexico

Updated June 2026

Moreno Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Colfax County, New Mexico. Reported finds include chalcopyrite, gold, pyrite, pyrrhotite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Colfax County
State: New Mexico
Nearest road: County Road B-24
Postcode: 87718
Coordinates: 36.59710, -105.27081

Geology at Moreno Creek

This spot sits on Alluvium, mapped as unconsolidated alluvium that formed within roughly the last 129,000 years. Stream-worked gravels like these are where placer gold tends to concentrate, settling toward bedrock, inside gravel bars, and behind boulders.

Mapped unit: Alluvium
Age: < 1 Ma (Late Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: unconsolidated alluvium
Elevation: 8,380 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 Moreno Creek

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 78°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 4°F. At about 8,380 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, EAGLE NEST station (3 mi away).

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 Moreno Creek

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 Moreno Creek.

Moreno Creek FAQ

Where is Moreno Creek?+

Moreno Creek is in Colfax County, New Mexico, at 36.59710, -105.27081. Nearest road: County Road B-24.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Moreno Creek?+

Moreno Creek is reported to produce Chalcopyrite, Gold, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite.

Is collecting allowed at Moreno Creek?+

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 Moreno Creek?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Moreno Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Moreno Creek are March to November. At about 8,380 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Moreno Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.59710, -105.27081 in Google Maps. The nearest road is County Road B-24.

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