Silver Hill: Garnet Rockhounding in Socorro County, New Mexico

Updated July 2026

Silver Hill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Socorro County, New Mexico. Reported finds include garnet. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Socorro County
State: New Mexico
Coordinates: 34.12527, -107.30367

Geology at Silver Hill

This spot sits on Lower-upper middle Tertiary basaltic andesites and andesites of the Mogollon Group, mapped as andesite, basaltic andesite, and basalt that formed roughly 34 to 23 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this weathers into rocky slopes and float, and fresh exposures in cuts and drainages are usually the most productive places to look.

Mapped unit: Lower-upper middle Tertiary basaltic andesites and andesites of the Mogollon Group
Age: 34–23 Ma (Early Oligocene to Late Oligocene)
Rock types: andesite, basaltic andesite, and basalt
Elevation: 6,960 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 Silver Hill

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 46°F in winter to 82°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, AUGUSTINE 2E station (18 mi away).

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 Silver Hill

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Garnet Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Silver Hill.

Silver Hill FAQ

Where is Silver Hill?+

Silver Hill is in Socorro County, New Mexico, at 34.12527, -107.30367.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Silver Hill?+

Silver Hill is reported to produce Garnet.

Is collecting allowed at Silver Hill?+

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 Silver Hill?+

A rock hammer, a sieve, and a small shovel work well for garnet-type minerals, which concentrate as resistant grains in soils and creek gravels.

When is the best time to visit Silver Hill?+

Silver Hill is workable year-round.

How do I get to Silver Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.12527, -107.30367 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in New Mexico

See all 119 New Mexico spots →

Open Silver Hill on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.