Hachita: Cerussite & Silver Rockhounding in Grant County, New Mexico

Updated June 2026

Hachita is a mapped rockhounding spot in Grant County, New Mexico. Reported finds include cerussite, silver, stilbite, wolframite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Grant County
State: New Mexico
Nearest road: Continental Divide Trail
Coordinates: 31.89541, -108.42536

Geology at Hachita

This spot sits on andesitic to dacitic lavas and pyroclastic breccias, mapped as andesite and dacite that formed roughly 100 to 56 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this weathers into rocky slopes and float, and fresh exposures in cuts and drainages are usually the most productive places to look.

Mapped unit: andesitic to dacitic lavas and pyroclastic breccias
Age: 100–56 Ma (Late Cretaceous to Paleocene)
Rock types: andesite and dacite
Elevation: 4,810 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 Hachita

Best months: August to May. Typical highs run 93°F in midsummer and 57°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HACHITA 1W station (5 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 Hachita

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 Hachita.

Hachita FAQ

Where is Hachita?+

Hachita is in Grant County, New Mexico, at 31.89541, -108.42536. Nearest road: Continental Divide Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Hachita?+

Hachita is reported to produce Cerussite, Silver, Stilbite, Wolframite.

Is collecting allowed at Hachita?+

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 Hachita?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Hachita?+

The most comfortable months at Hachita are August to May.

How do I get to Hachita?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 31.89541, -108.42536 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Continental Divide Trail.

More rockhounding in New Mexico

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Open Hachita on the map

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