Back to original page Printer Friendly Version of REDTT's: Rocks and Geological Sites Are you one of those people who come home from a hike with rocks in your pocket? Do fossils amaze you, especially those little sea urchins you found in the middle of the desert? Well, you are not alone. If you enjoy looking at pretty rocks, being amazed at their formations and colors, wondering where all the fish went, then visit some of these places below. New Mexico even has special Rock Hounding Days when everyone who loves rocks gets together to celebrate their love and get more.   Blanchard Rock Shop - "Trinitite for Sale" The Blanchard Rock Shop, located on Hwy 380, 30 miles east of San Antonio, is halfway between Socorro and Carrizozo in the town of Bingham, New Mexico. The rock shop is the gateway to the world famous Blanchard mines which have produced some of the finest minerals in the southwestern United States. The mines produce Fluorite, Barite, Galena, Linarite, Brochantite, Amethyst and Smoky Quartz, as well as more than 80 other minerals. This is without a doubt the finest collecting area in New Mexico. Besides collecting at the Blanchard mines, field trips are run to other great collecting areas in the state. These trips are kept to a maximum of 4 people and are for the serious collector. We are happy to provide information on other mines and collecting areas throughout the state to rock hounds, free of charge. Contact us at: (505) 423-3235 Border Rock Shop - 980 East Motel Blvd., Lordsburg, NM (505) 542-3724 Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum - Located on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (NM State Highway 14) and housed in the Casa Grande Trading Post, this unique exhibit has antiques from the area, mining artifacts from the Cerrillos Mining District, displays on mining, rocks, minerals, bottles and dioramas. Samples of Cerrillos turquoise are available. Admission $2, group rates are available, open daily. Located at Waldo and 3rd streets in Cerrillos, NM (505) 438-3008 brownp52@worldnet.att.net City of Rocks State Park - Incredible park! The coolest rocks you will ever see, said to be made from centuries-old lava! Some 50 feet high! Bring the family, a picnic lunch and spend the day climbing around some incredible boulders! Located 28 miles northwest of Deming, NM via US 180 and NM 61 (505) 536-2800 Geology Museum - Moon rocks, minerals and fossils. Northrop Hall, UNM Campus. Albuquerque, NM (505) 277-4204 Geronimo Springs Museum - Local history and minerals from prehistoric times to present day! Great collection of Mimbres pottery. Truth or Consequences, the show, memorabilia. Truth or Consequences, NM (505) 894-6600 Granite Gap Mine- Explore the mysteries of geology, by going 800 feet into a mountain! Dubbed the "Granite Gap Ghost Mining Camp", this is the site of an old silver mine. It's a great place to go rock collecting, treasure hunting for legendary missing gold bars and mine touring! Open to camping, hiking, cave exploring, gold panning, even learn how to carve your own arrowheads! Granite Gap is open October 1 to June 1, 9am-5pm, Wednesday through Sunday and by appointment at other times. Located in Southwestern NM, west of Lordsburg and north of Rodeo, NM (505) 854-3225 Desert USA site Carla DeMarco pictures and article Harding Pagmatite Mine - Rock and mineral collectors! This particular mine played an important role in WWII and contributed to the establishment of geological theory. Today it is used as an important outdoor laboratory for geology students throughout the country. Release form are needed before heading out for this adventure. Maintained by the University of New Mexico. Mine is located 1 mile N of Dixon, NM (505) 277-4204 Meteoritics Institute - One of the largest meteorite collection the the United States! Located in Albuquerque at the UNM campus. (505) 277-2747 Miles Museum - Displays the mineral collection of Fred Miles and other samples. These minerals come from all over the country and Mexico. Visit this museum at the Eastern New Mexico University Roosevelt Hall. Experts will give presentations on fossils and minerals to scheduled tour groups. Call today! Portales, NM (505) 562-2498 Mineralogical Museum - Fossils and thousands of mineral specimens. Located at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, NM (505) 835-5420 New Mexico Museum of Mining - The history of uranium and other geological exhibits. Also, Indian artifacts from the area. Located in Grants, NM (800) 748-2142. Visit the Grants Chamber of Commerce web site for more information. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science - Fossils, 12 billion years of natural history. Dinosaurs, "time machine," living forest and a 3,000 gallon, shark-infested aquarium, rumbling volcano, ice age cave. Dynamax Theater, Natureworks and gift shop. Located at 1801 Mountain Road NW, Albuquerque, NM (505) 841-2800 New Mexico Rock Club Links - click here to get to the following web sites: Albuquerque Gem and Mineral Club in Albuquerque Chaparral rock hounds in Roswell Clovis Gem and Mineral Society in Clovis Deming Gem and Mineral Society in Deming El Paso Gem and Mineral Society (in Texas, but close enough to be one of our own) Grant County Rolling Stones Gem and Mineral Society in Silver City Lea Lap Rock and Mineral Club in Hobbs Los Alamos Geological Society in Los Alamos Roadrunner Gem and Mineral Club in Carlsbad Rockamania Gem and Mineral Society in Lordsburg San Juan County Gem and Mineral Society in Farmington/Bloomfield Rio Rancho rock hounds in Rio Rancho The New Mexico Faceters Guild in Albuquerque Gemcrafters and Explorers Club in Las Cruces Sierra Rock Club in Truth or Consequences New Mexico Rock, Mineral and Gem Dealers Sunshine Studio operated by Arch and Challis Thiesson The Rock Hut ; operated by Jim and Irene Witmer (actually in Colorado now) Carousel Gems and Minerals operated by Betty and Al Tlush Ancient Stone Works operated by Jack and Mary Gentry Roadrunner Minerals operated by Phil and Eleanor Bove Gem Quest operated by Dennis Ott and Eileen Sanchez Point of Rocks - On the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, rocks and mineral collecting, historic Indian campsites, history, graves and wagon ruts! Located 34 miles east of Springer, NM (505) 485-2473 Rockhound Roundup - Held the second weekend of March and sponsored by the Deming Gem and Mineral Society, the annual Rockhound Round-up will be at the Southwestern New Mexico State Fairgrounds (southeast of Deming and west of Las Cruces) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The event entertains more than 5,000 visitors with displays and rock-related events. Two buildings house more than 40 dealers, and 30 outside "tailgaters." One can browse for hours viewing gems, jewelry, tools, equipment, findings, rock slabs and crafted items. Artisan might be wire wrapping jewelry, making a chain, silversmithing, cabochon polishing, doing scrimshaw or stringing beads. Rough rock may be purchased for crafting spheres, clocks, beads, cabochons or inlay work. Mineral collectors avidly pore over hundreds of beautiful, rare specimens for choice additions to their own collections. Geodes are for sale with free on-site sawing available. A crowd can be found engrossed at the saws, as the crystal-lined cavity or the agate-banded core is revealed. If you like rocks, you can't miss this event! Southwestern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. Deming, NM (505) 546-0348 Rockhound State Park - This park offers rock collecting at its best! Located on the rugged west slope of the Little Florida (pronounced flo rita) Mountains, near Deming, N.M., Rockhound State Park is a favorite for "rock hounds" because of the abundant agates and quartz crystals found throughout the park. Treasures range from varieties of silica minerals, quartz crystals, chalcedony, Agate and common opal. Visitors may take up to 15 pounds of rock for their personal collection. Visitors Center, all facilities for camping, hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Deming, NM (505) 546-6182 Royal Scepter Mineral Museum - and rock shop. Come and meet generational "rock hounders" and see their collections. Gift shop, too! Located at 1805 Little Walnut Road in Silver City, NM (toll free 877) 626-9001 Turquoise Museum - Enter this exhibit through the mine tunnel! Spectacular, rare specimens from around the world. History, myths, and consumer tips on buying what is natural and authentic. Gift shop. Located at 2107 Central NW, Albuquerque, NM (505) 247-8650 Back to original page .