Caballo Mountains: Azurite & Chalcocite Rockhounding in Sierra County, New Mexico
- Minerals reported
- 5
- Elevation
- 5,640 ft
- Best months
- August to May
Caballo Mountains is a mapped rockhounding spot in Sierra County, New Mexico. Reported finds include azurite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, fluorite, malachite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Sierra County
- State
- New Mexico
- Nearest road
- County Road A003
- Coordinates
- 32.91197, -107.22360
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.
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 Caballo Mountains
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: August to May. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 54°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CABALLO DAM station (5 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Geology at Caballo Mountains
This spot sits on ground mapped as sedimentary that formed roughly 540 to 420 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.
- Age
- 540–420 Ma (Cambrian to Silurian)
- Rock types
- sedimentary
- Elevation
- 5,640 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
Is today a good day to go?
The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Caballo Mountains.
Get the appSources & 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:
- 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 Caballo Mountains
Each name 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 Caballo Mountains.
- DerrySierra County, New Mexico · 9 mi awayChert
- Hatch (goethite area)Doña Ana County, New Mexico · 12 mi awayGoethite, Fluorite, Quartz
- HatchDoña Ana County, New Mexico · 15 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- CandylandSierra County, New Mexico · 16 mi awayRhyolite
- CutterSierra County, New Mexico · 17 mi awayJasper
- Mud Springs MountainsSierra County, New Mexico · 18 mi awayAgate, Opalized Wood, Silicified Wood
- Jornada ValleySierra County, New Mexico · 19 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Elixirite
- Elephant ButteSierra County, New Mexico · 21 mi awayAgate, Chert, Chalcedony
Caballo Mountains FAQ
Where is Caballo Mountains?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Caballo Mountains?+
Is collecting allowed at Caballo Mountains?+
What tools should I bring to Caballo Mountains?+
When is the best time to visit Caballo Mountains?+
How do I get to Caballo Mountains?+
More rockhounding in New Mexico
See all 143 New Mexico spots →
Open Caballo Mountains on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
