Rockhound State Park
New Mexico
Find: Black perlite, thundereggs, seam agate
GPS: 32.18597, -107.61223
Nearest city: Las Cruces, NM
Recommended Vehicle: Any
Season: Accessible year round. Ideal in the Winter months. Exceptionally hot in Summer with no shade.
Summary:
Rockhound State Park is a very popular spot in New Mexico that is specifically designated for finding rocks. Thundereggs, agate, quartz crystals, and perlite can all be found in the washes of the Thunder Egg Trail. It’s a 1.2 mile loop that goes from corner to corner of the parking area.
The park formerly had a 15lb allowance on what you could take. Nowadays, they ask visitors to limit your finds to a few pieces you like. It wasn’t a super formal system when I visited.
I hiked all the way up to the top fence from the trail. It was very steep and difficult hiking. There are sharp outcrops of rock and I actually cut my hand open when catching myself (it was minor). There are cacti in large groups as well. These things combined to make hiking something I had to really pay attention to. It’s a great spot for families, but certain spots in the park may be hazardous for kids.
There was a $5 to access the spot. It was just a cash box drop.
Video
Check out the video to best see what can be found when exploring this spot.
3 Helpful Tools
Water Bladder
I use a 3L water bladder when hiking in the desert and it makes life a little easier.
Hiking Boots
Something with higher ankles might help if you plan on digging through the washes here.
Hiking Backpack
This is a legitimate hike if you go off the path. A slim day-hike backpack was helpful to use out here.
Permits were $5 each
Thunder Egg Trail, it's marked off with a sign and begins on the right side of the parking lot.
It's a 1.2 mile loop.
I thought this was petrified wood but I think it's actually rhyolite.
One of the stranger ones I found out here. It looks like it has a little square of the rhyolite down the center.
I believe this is black perlite, but initally thought it was obsidian. The parking lot has a sign about the rocks found here.
Eventually I found an outcrop of the perlite.
If you poke around enough, there are flows of it where you'll find many pieces.
Tons of cacti up here.
I think this could be a thunderegg. Still have yet to cut it, unfortunately
Maybe another, but with a different outer texture.
An agate of some sort.
Two ibex I saw outside Carlsbad Caverns the next day. There is an info sign about how they arrived in New Mexico in the parking area of Rockhound State Park - it's an interesting story.