Elephant Butte: Agate & Chert Rockhounding in Sierra County, New Mexico

Updated July 2026

Elephant Butte is a mapped rockhounding spot in Sierra County, New Mexico. Reported finds include agate, chert, chalcedony, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Sierra County
State: New Mexico
Nearest road: NM 51
Coordinates: 33.17287, -107.04484

Geology at Elephant Butte

This spot sits on Eolian deposits, mapped as unconsolidated silt and sand that formed within roughly the last 774,000 years. Gravels like these concentrate whatever survives the river: agate, jasper, and other tough silica typically show up as rounded, waxy stones.

Mapped unit: Eolian deposits
Age: < 1 Ma (Middle Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: unconsolidated silt and sand
Elevation: 4,740 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 Elephant Butte

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 95°F in midsummer and 56°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 29°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ELEPHANT BUTTE DAM station (8 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 Elephant Butte

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 Elephant Butte.

Elephant Butte FAQ

Where is Elephant Butte?+

Elephant Butte is in Sierra County, New Mexico, at 33.17287, -107.04484. Nearest road: NM 51.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Elephant Butte?+

Elephant Butte is reported to produce Agate, Chert, Chalcedony, Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Elephant Butte?+

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 Elephant Butte?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Elephant Butte?+

The most comfortable months at Elephant Butte are September to May. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Elephant Butte?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 33.17287, -107.04484 in Google Maps. The nearest road is NM 51.

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