NW San Juan County: Chert & Garnet Rockhounding in San Juan County, New Mexico

Updated July 2026

NW San Juan County is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Juan County, New Mexico. Reported finds include chert, garnet, jasper, quartzite, petrified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: San Juan County
State: New Mexico
Coordinates: 36.76170, -108.65533

Geology at NW San Juan County

This spot sits on Mancos Shale, upper part, mapped as shale and sandstone that formed roughly 90 to 72 million years ago. Sedimentary beds like these are the typical host for petrified and silicified wood, which weathers out as durable float on slopes and in washes.

Mapped unit: Mancos Shale, upper part
Age: 90–72 Ma (Late Cretaceous)
Rock types: shale and sandstone
Elevation: 4,950 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 NW San Juan County

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 44°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 17°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, FRUITLAND station (17 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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 NW San Juan County

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 NW San Juan County.

Across the state line from NW San Juan County

NW San Juan County 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.

NW San Juan County FAQ

Where is NW San Juan County?+

NW San Juan County is in San Juan County, New Mexico, at 36.76170, -108.65533.

What rocks and minerals can you find at NW San Juan County?+

NW San Juan County is reported to produce Chert, Garnet, Jasper, Quartzite, Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at NW San Juan County?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to NW San Juan County?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit NW San Juan County?+

The most comfortable months at NW San Juan County are February to June.

How do I get to NW San Juan County?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.76170, -108.65533 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in New Mexico

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Open NW San Juan County on the map

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