New Mexico

Rockhounding Regulations

General Rules

  • • BLM lands: 25 pounds per day plus one piece, 250 pounds per year limit
  • • Hand tools only for casual collecting
  • • Materials must be for personal use
  • • Respect posted signs and boundaries

Permits & Licenses

  • • No permits for casual collecting on BLM lands
  • • USFS lands generally don't require permits for personal use
  • • Commercial collecting requires permits

Restrictions

  • • Prohibited in National Parks and Monuments
  • • State Parks generally prohibit collecting
  • • Wilderness areas limited to surface collection
  • • Active mining claims require permission

Contacts

  • • BLM New Mexico: (505) 954-2000
  • • New Mexico State Parks: (888) 667-2757
  • • New Mexico Bureau of Geology: (575) 835-5490