General Area: Alabaster Rockhounding in Childress County, Texas

Updated June 2026

General Area is a mapped rockhounding spot in Childress County, Texas. Reported finds include alabaster. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Childress County
State: Texas
Nearest road: County Road 19
Coordinates: 34.61093, -100.10635

Geology at General Area

This spot sits on Alluvium, mapped as fine alluvium and coarse alluvium that formed within roughly the last 12,000 years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Alluvium
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Rock types: fine alluvium and coarse alluvium
Elevation: 1,660 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 General Area

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 97°F in midsummer and 55°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 28°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, CHILDRESS 2 station (14 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

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Bureau of Economic Geology — Texas geology
Big Bend National Park — Rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at General Area

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

Alabaster

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of General Area.

Across the state line from General Area

General Area is close enough to the Texas border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

General Area FAQ

Where is General Area?+

General Area is in Childress County, Texas, at 34.61093, -100.10635. Nearest road: County Road 19.

What rocks and minerals can you find at General Area?+

General Area is reported to produce Alabaster.

Is collecting allowed at General Area?+

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 General Area?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit General Area?+

The most comfortable months at General Area 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 General Area?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 34.61093, -100.10635 in Google Maps. The nearest road is County Road 19.

More rockhounding in Texas

See all 94 Texas spots →

Open General Area on the map

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