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Mount Chalchihuitl: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Santa Fe County, New Mexico

Updated June 2026

Mount Chalchihuitl is tied to the Cerrillos turquoise district, one of New Mexico's defining prehistoric and historic turquoise sources. Mindat records turquoise for the Chalchihuitl Mine, and Cerrillos Hills plus New Mexico Geological Society references describe the hill as an important early turquoise-mining locality rather than a generic Santa Fe gravel stop. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, petrified wood, turquoise. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Mount Chalchihuitl photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Cerrillos turquoise specimen in the Smithsonian collection, representative of the turquoise found at Mount Chalchihuitl, Santa Fe County, New Mexico

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Santa Fe County
State: New Mexico
Nearest road: Gravel Pit Road
Coordinates: 35.47015, -106.11255

Geology at Mount Chalchihuitl

This spot sits on ground mapped as Intrusive rocks that formed roughly 34 to 23 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: Intrusive rocks
Age: 34–23 Ma (Oligocene)
Elevation: 6,190 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 Mount Chalchihuitl

Best months: January to November. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 45°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SANTA FE CO MUNI AP station (10 mi away).

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 Mount Chalchihuitl

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 Mount Chalchihuitl.

Mount Chalchihuitl FAQ

Where is Mount Chalchihuitl?+

Mount Chalchihuitl is in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, at 35.47015, -106.11255. Nearest road: Gravel Pit Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mount Chalchihuitl?+

Mount Chalchihuitl is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony, Petrified Wood, Turquoise.

Is collecting allowed at Mount Chalchihuitl?+

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 Mount Chalchihuitl?+

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 Mount Chalchihuitl?+

The most comfortable months at Mount Chalchihuitl are January to November.

How do I get to Mount Chalchihuitl?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 35.47015, -106.11255 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Gravel Pit Road.

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