Fra Cristobal Range: Agate & Jasper Rockhounding in Sierra County, New Mexico

Updated July 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Sierra County
State: New Mexico
Coordinates: 33.40030, -107.12027

Geology at Fra Cristobal Range

This spot sits on granitic plutonic rocks, mapped as granitic and gneiss that formed roughly 1800 to 1600 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: granitic plutonic rocks
Age: 1800–1600 Ma (Paleoproterozoic)
Rock types: granitic and gneiss
Elevation: 5,180 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 Fra Cristobal Range

Best months: August to May. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 54°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 28°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES MUNI AP station (14 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 Fra Cristobal Range

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 Fra Cristobal Range.

Fra Cristobal Range FAQ

Where is Fra Cristobal Range?+

Fra Cristobal Range is in Sierra County, New Mexico, at 33.40030, -107.12027.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Fra Cristobal Range?+

Fra Cristobal Range is reported to produce Agate, Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Fra Cristobal Range?+

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 Fra Cristobal Range?+

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 Fra Cristobal Range?+

The most comfortable months at Fra Cristobal Range are August to May.

How do I get to Fra Cristobal Range?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 33.40030, -107.12027 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in New Mexico

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Open Fra Cristobal Range on the map

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