Plata Verde Mine: Anglesite & Barite Rockhounding in Hudspeth County, Texas

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Hudspeth County

State

Texas

Nearest road

Green River Road

Coordinates

30.87791, -104.92217

Geology at Plata Verde Mine

This spot sits on Hueco Limestone, mapped as limestone that formed roughly 300 to 250 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit

Hueco Limestone

Age

300–250 Ma (Permian)

Rock types

limestone

Elevation

4,380 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 Plata Verde Mine

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 58°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 29°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, VAN HORN station (12 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 Plata Verde Mine

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

• Anglesite
• BariteEncyclopedia →
• Bromargyrite
• MalachiteEncyclopedia →
• Microcline
• QuartzEncyclopedia →
• AzuriteEncyclopedia →
• ChrysocollaEncyclopedia →