Gold Hill: Argentite & Pyrargyrite Rockhounding in Taos County, New Mexico

Updated June 2026

Gold Hill is a mapped rockhounding spot in Taos County, New Mexico. Reported finds include argentite, pyrargyrite, silver, sphalerite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Taos County
State: New Mexico
Nearest road: Gold Hill Trail #64
Coordinates: 36.64296, -105.45580

Geology at Gold Hill

This spot sits on ground mapped as Felsic metavolcanic rocks that formed roughly 2500 to 1600 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: Felsic metavolcanic rocks
Age: 2500–1600 Ma (Paleoproterozoic)
Elevation: 12,670 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 Gold Hill

Best months: May to September. Typical highs run 60°F in midsummer and 21°F in midwinter, with winter lows near -7°F. At about 12,670 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, RED RVR station (5 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 Gold Hill

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 Gold Hill.

Gold Hill FAQ

Where is Gold Hill?+

Gold Hill is in Taos County, New Mexico, at 36.64296, -105.45580. Nearest road: Gold Hill Trail #64.

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

Gold Hill is reported to produce Argentite, Pyrargyrite, Silver, Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at Gold 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 Gold Hill?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Gold Hill?+

The most comfortable months at Gold Hill are May to September. At about 12,670 ft, snow can block access from late fall well into spring, so check conditions outside of summer.

How do I get to Gold Hill?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.64296, -105.45580 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Gold Hill Trail #64.

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