Point of Rocks: Searlesite & Fluorescent Villiaumite Rockhounding in Colfax County, New Mexico

Updated June 2026

Point of Rocks is a mapped rockhounding spot in Colfax County, New Mexico. Reported finds include searlesite, fluorescent villiaumite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Colfax County
State: New Mexico
Coordinates: 36.42512, -104.15196

Geology at Point of Rocks

This spot sits on Landslide deposits and colluvium, mapped as unconsolidated colluvium that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Landslide deposits and colluvium
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: unconsolidated colluvium
Elevation: 6,570 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 Point of Rocks

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 47°F in winter to 87°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CAPULIN station (23 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 Point of Rocks

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 Point of Rocks.

Across the state line from Point of Rocks

Point of Rocks is close enough to the New Mexico border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Point of Rocks FAQ

Where is Point of Rocks?+

Point of Rocks is in Colfax County, New Mexico, at 36.42512, -104.15196.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Point of Rocks?+

Point of Rocks is reported to produce Searlesite, Fluorescent Villiaumite.

Is collecting allowed at Point of Rocks?+

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 Point of Rocks?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Point of Rocks?+

Point of Rocks is workable year-round.

How do I get to Point of Rocks?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.42512, -104.15196 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in New Mexico

See all 119 New Mexico spots →

Open Point of Rocks on the map

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