Jornada Valley: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Sierra County, New Mexico

Updated June 2026

Jornada Valley is a mapped rockhounding spot in Sierra County, New Mexico. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, elixirite, jasper, petrified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Sierra County
State: New Mexico
Nearest road: Upham Road
Coordinates: 33.13628, -107.02446

Geology at Jornada Valley

This spot sits on Eolian deposits, mapped as unconsolidated silt and sand that formed within roughly the last 774,000 years. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: Eolian deposits
Age: < 1 Ma (Middle Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: unconsolidated silt and sand
Elevation: 4,780 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 Jornada Valley

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 (9 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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 Jornada Valley

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 Jornada Valley.

Jornada Valley FAQ

Where is Jornada Valley?+

Jornada Valley is in Sierra County, New Mexico, at 33.13628, -107.02446. Nearest road: Upham Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Jornada Valley?+

Jornada Valley is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony, Elixirite, Jasper, Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Jornada Valley?+

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 Jornada Valley?+

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 Jornada Valley?+

The most comfortable months at Jornada Valley 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 Jornada Valley?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 33.13628, -107.02446 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Upham Road.

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