Rockhound State Park
New Mexico, New Mexico.
Rockhound State Park was named for the abundance of minerals in the area, and visitors can search for quartz crystals, geodes, jasper, perlite, and many other minerals. It was established in 1966 as the first park in the United States that allowed collecting of rocks for personal use. The Spring Canyon unit in the Florida Mountains was added to the park in 1979 and is a day use area with hiking trails up to the steep pinnacles that characterize the Florida Mountains.
The area is home to many lizards and snakes, deer, antelope, coyotes, and small mammals such as prairie dogs, rabbits, badgers, and many birds. Mountain lion and desert bighorn sheep may be seen at the higher elevations of the Florida Mountains. A variety of plants thrive in this environment, including yucca, prickly pear cactus, barrel cactus, ocotillo, creosote bush, mesquite, and hackberry; juniper and scrub oak are common in the canyons.
The rugged slopes of the Little Florida Mountains are the setting for the main area of the park, which boasts trails, unique geology, wildflower displays, and a peaceful campground. Each visitor is allowed to collect as much as 15 lbs of rocks and minerals from the 1100 acre park. The stunning scenery of the Spring Canyon unit of the park provides a peaceful area for hiking or picnicking.
Park Elevation is between 4,520 - 5,400 ft.
Rockhound State Park offers a visitor center, camping, showers, group shelters, electric hook-ups, restrooms, playground, trails, and R.V. Pull through sites.
Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website.
Directions
9880 Stirrup Road
Deming, NM 88030
Make a reservation on the New Mexico State Parks reservation website.
