Redrock: Ricolite & Banded Serpentine Rockhounding in Grant County, New Mexico

Public accessBest spot2 mineralsGrant County, New MexicoUpdated June 2026

Minerals reported: 2
Elevation: 4,470 ft
Best months: September to May

Redrock stands out for ricolite, the banded nonfibrous serpentine associated with the Ricolite district in the Burro Mountains. Mindat ties the Ash Creek Canyon quarry to the Ricolite district, and New Mexico Bureau of Geology industrial-minerals notes distinguish decorative ricolite from the state's minor asbestos occurrences. Reported finds include ricolite, banded serpentine. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Grant County
State: New Mexico
Coordinates: 32.73566, -108.65265

Get directions View on Google Maps

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Access note: Redrock and Ash Creek area near the Ricolite district. Verify parcel ownership, active claims, and any restrictions before collecting.

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.

Best time to visit Redrock

58°J

63°F

70°M

77°A

85°M

94°J

91°A

87°S

78°O

67°N

57°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 94°F in midsummer and 58°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, REDROCK 1 NNE station (5 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Redrock

This spot sits on granitic plutonic rocks, mapped as granite that formed roughly 1600 to 1200 million years ago. Plutonic rock like this weathers slowly into grus and boulders, and the most productive collecting is typically in weathered zones and drainages.

Mapped unit: granitic plutonic rocks
Age: 1600–1200 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: granite
Elevation: 4,470 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.

Today's weather

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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 Redrock

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

Ricolite
Banded Serpentine

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Redrock.

Bear MountainGrant County, New Mexico · 18 mi awayCopper, Chrysocolla, Malachite
Burro PeakGrant County, New Mexico · 19 mi awayAzurite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite
Shakespeare Ghost TownHidalgo County, New Mexico · 29 mi awayAzurite, Bornite, Galena
Fort BayardGrant County, New Mexico · 30 mi awayCommon Opal, Fire Opal
Pyramid PeakHidalgo County, New Mexico · 34 mi awayFluorite
Sapillo CreekGrant County, New Mexico · 34 mi awayGeode, Carnelian
Meerschaum area surfacesGrant County, New Mexico · 34 mi awayChert
Santa RitaGrant County, New Mexico · 34 mi awayCopper, Cuprite, Molybdenite

Across the state line from Redrock

Redrock 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.

York AreaGreenlee County, Arizona · 34 mi awayFire Agate, Banded Agate, Carnelian
Both sides of Mule Creek RoadGreenlee County, Arizona · 35 mi awayChalcedony Geode
1 mi. N of old Three-Way drive-in theaterGreenlee County, Arizona · 37 mi awayFire Agate, Chalcedony
Ward CanyonGreenlee County, Arizona · 42 mi awayRed Agate
N of Mulligan PeakGreenlee County, Arizona · 43 mi awayPurple Agate
W of Mulligan PeakGreenlee County, Arizona · 43 mi awayNodule

Redrock FAQ

Where is Redrock?+

Redrock is in Grant County, New Mexico, at 32.73566, -108.65265.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Redrock?+

Redrock is reported to produce Ricolite, Banded Serpentine.

Is collecting allowed at Redrock?+

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 Redrock?+

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 Redrock?+

The most comfortable months at Redrock are September to May.

How do I get to Redrock?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 32.73566, -108.65265 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.