Bent: Mexican Onyx Rockhounding in Otero County, New Mexico

Updated June 2026

Bent is a mapped rockhounding spot in Otero County, New Mexico. Reported finds include mexican onyx. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Otero County
State: New Mexico
Nearest road: Mauer Drive
Postcode: 88314
Coordinates: 33.15499, -105.85023

Geology at Bent

This spot sits on Alluvium, mapped as unconsolidated alluvium that formed within roughly the last 129,000 years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Alluvium
Age: < 1 Ma (Late Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: unconsolidated alluvium
Elevation: 5,890 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 Bent

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 50°F in winter to 88°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TULAROSA station (12 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 Bent

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

Mexican Onyx

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Bent.

Bent FAQ

Where is Bent?+

Bent is in Otero County, New Mexico, at 33.15499, -105.85023. Nearest road: Mauer Drive.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Bent?+

Bent is reported to produce Mexican Onyx.

Is collecting allowed at Bent?+

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 Bent?+

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 Bent?+

Bent is workable year-round.

How do I get to Bent?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 33.15499, -105.85023 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Mauer Drive.

More rockhounding in New Mexico

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Open Bent on the map

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