Finding thunder eggs in New Mexico can be hard without the right help. The state’s large landscapes are full of geological wonders, but the places where these spherical rocks with crystalline structures are hidden are often far away and hard to get to.
Also, places with thunder eggs are often off the beaten path, so you need not only a knack for geology but also an adventurous spirit that can handle New Mexico’s rough terrains.
The untrained eye might miss these treasures because they look like ordinary rocks, and no marked trails or maps show where they are, making it harder.
Fortunately for those interested, we’ve found many great ways to hunt for thunder eggs in New Mexico! There are opportunities for everyone, whether you are a beginner looking for easy-to-find spots or a seasoned geologist looking for the rarest finds.
What Are New Mexico Thunder Eggs Anyway?
Thunder eggs are interesting geological formations that look like ordinary rocks from the outside but are full of beauty on the inside. These round or oval-shaped stones come from beds of volcanic ash and go through a long mineralization process that takes thousands of years to create their beautiful interiors.
If you’ve tried our suggestions and still want to find thunder eggs in other places, we’ve put together a guide on where and how to find more thunder eggs.
They are not the same as geodes, even though they both have mineral crystals inside. The main difference is that the inside of a thunder egg is solid, while the inside of a geode is hollow.
Each specimen is different because the core often has intricate patterns and bright colors that make it stand out. Thundereggs can be as small as an inch or as big as several feet across.
These natural wonders are precious to collectors and people who like gems. The geological formation of New Mexico makes it easy to locate thundereggs.
- The deep experience and understanding of our team about the area
- Recommendations from local groups and clubs
- How easy it is to get the a particular location
- Safety and potential hazards when collecting
- Weighing private and public locations
- The ability for both experienced and novice thunder egg enthusiasts to find great samples
With these factors in mind we’ve been able to put together a fantastic list that just about anyone can use!
The Best Places To Find Thunder Eggs in New Mexico
We’ll list the best places in the state to find thunder eggs. There are a lot of great places to find gems in New Mexico, but only a few are suitable for thunder eggs. Even though some of these places aren’t well-known, we’ve always found excellent specimens when we visit.
Always Confirm Access and Collection Rules!
Before heading out to any of the locations on our list you need to confirm access requirements and collection rules for both public and private locations directly with the location. We haven’t personally verified every location and the access requirements and collection rules often change without notice.
Many of the locations we mention will not allow collecting but are still great places for those who love to find beautiful rocks and minerals in the wild without keeping them. We also can’t guarantee you will find anything in these locations since they are constantly changing.
Always get updated information directly from the source ahead of time to ensure responsible rockhounding. If you want even more current options it’s always a good idea to contact local rock and mineral clubs and groups
Baker’s Ranch (Lode Mine)
Baker’s Ranch is a beautiful place with interesting geological features. This area has a wide range of landscapes in the southwestern part of the state, from dry desert plains to rough mountainous terrain.
The ranch is built on volcanic rock formations that are millions of years old. This makes it an excellent place to grow mineral deposits and other interesting geological features.
Geologically, one of the best things about the area is that it has a lot of thunder eggs, which can be found in secret places around the ranch. It has a mix of sandstone cliffs, rocky outcrops, and dry scrubland, making it an exciting place for rockhounds.
Before you bring anything home from New Mexico, you should know the state’s updated rules about collecting.
Where we found thunder eggs at Baker’s Ranch
Those interested in hunting for thunder eggs here can explore the riverbeds and volcanic ash layers where these unique stones are often concealed.
Bear Mountain
Bear Mountain is in the middle of the state and is an excellent place for people who love the outdoors and geology. The mountain is part of a larger range, including dense forests, steep slopes, and rocky escarpments.
Geologically, the area comprises a mix of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. The site has a long and complex history shaped by tectonic movements and volcanic activity. Bear Mountain is a great place to find thunder eggs because it has a lot of different kinds of rocks.
The terrain around the mountain is varied but mostly rugged, requiring a fair degree of physical fitness for exploration. Because the area is less frequented than other geological sites in the state, it offers a serene environment for those willing to venture off the beaten path.
Where we found thunder eggs at Bear Mountain
Thundereggs can be found primarily in the volcanic tuff and ash layers, often near riverbanks or in valleys where erosion has exposed older rock formations.
Little Florida Mountains
Little Florida Mountain is a fascinating geological site in the southwestern part of the state. It’s close to the city of Deming and has a low elevation and interesting rock formations.
This area, part of the more extensive Florida Mountains range, has a mix of low shrublands and high rocky outcrops. Its geology is primarily volcanic, which shows that the area has had a rough history, with a mix of basaltic and andesitic rocks.
Not only does the mountain offer a fun hike through a variety of landscapes, but it also gives people who are interested in the mysteries of the Earth’s geological history a chance to find hidden treasures.
Where we found thunder eggs at Little Florida Mountain
Volcanic ash beds on the mountain are among the best places to look for thunder eggs. These layers, often close to old lava flows, are good places for these prized geological wonders to grow.
Rockhound State Park
Rockhound State Park lives up to its name, especially for mineralogy and geology fans. The park is 1100 acres big and has a lot of different types of land, from flat desert areas to the rough slopes of the Little Florida Mountains.
With its semi-arid climate, the land is mostly made up of hardy shrubs and rocky outcrops, making it a beautiful but difficult place to explore. Because of its volcanic history, the park has a lot of different minerals and stones that can be used to make jewelry.
The park is a great way to see the natural and geological beauty of New Mexico. It combines fun activities with the excitement of scientific discovery.
Where we found thunder eggs at Rockhound State Park
One of the best things about this place is the chance to find thunder eggs. In the park, these geological wonders are often found in the layers of volcanic tuff.
Some trails and spots in Rockhound State Park are known to be good for finding things, but local guides or park rangers are the most reliable sources of information for a successful hunt.
Soldier’s Farewell Hill
Soldier’s Farewell Hill is a fascinating mix of historical importance and natural beauty. The hill is part of a larger landscape with rolling plains that gradually give way to steeper slopes and rocky outcrops.
With its relatively low elevation and mix of grasslands and sparse forests, the area is an excellent place for outdoor adventures. Historically, Soldier’s Farewell Hill has a lot of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, with some igneous stones here and there.
This variety of geology shows that the area has had a long and complicated history, shaped by things like erosion, tectonic activity, and ancient volcanic events.
Where we found thunder eggs at Soldier’s Farewell Hill
Thunder eggs are round stones with mesmerizing mineral cores. You can find them in a few places around the hill. Most of the time, these are found in places where old volcanic ash has hardened. They are often near small creeks or in rocky ravines.
Other Great Places To Dig For Thunder Eggs In New Mexico
After telling you about our favorite places, we wanted to tell you about the rest of our list. Before discussing more general things, we’ll list our top choices for each state by county.
Our recommendations by county
| County | Location |
| Hidalgo | Clanton Draw |
| Luna | Butler Ranch |
| Luna | Blue Star Mine |
| Luna | Pastel Bed |
| Luna | Geronimo Trail |
| Luna | Lost Rabbit |
| Luna | Mine Shaft |
| Luna | Orange Star Prospect Site |
| Luna | Smyer Ranch Road |
| Luna | Tavenier Mine |
| Luna | Torpedo Bed |
| Luna | Agate Hill |
| Luna | Blue Sky Mine |
| Luna | Sugar Bowl Mine |
Additional areas you should try
After telling you about our favorite places, we wanted to tell you about the rest of our list. Before discussing more general things, we’ll list our top choices for each state.
Fresh rock exposures
Fresh rock exposures, like newly dug quarries, road cuts, or places where rocks have been worn away by nature, are great places for rock collectors to find rare and valuable specimens. One of the main reasons is that geological layers that were once buried are easy to get to.
When a new part of the Earth’s crust is found, minerals, fossils, and rock formations hidden for thousands or even millions of years can be seen. This reveals a lot of collectible stuff that hasn’t been damaged by the weather and still has its original shine and shape.
Mine and mine dumps
Mines and mine dumps are great places for rock collectors to find unique and interesting specimens. Mines are places where minerals are taken out of the ground. This means they use geological formations rich in materials that people want.
Because of this, there are many chances of finding rare and valuable rocks, minerals, or even gemstones in these areas. Also, mines often go deep into the Earth, revealing layers that would have been inaccessible otherwise. This makes it possible to find more minerals.
Road cuts
Rock collectors have a unique chance to find rocks in road cuts, which are the exposed parts of land along highways or mountain roads. These places are like accidental geological surveys because they show layers of sediment and rock that have been hidden for thousands of years.
When a road is built, it cuts through different layers of the Earth’s history. This shows a vertical profile of the Earth’s history and how geological events have changed the area over time. This allows collectors to find things from many different times and places, all in one place.
Streams and creeks
Rock collectors often forget streams and creeks, but they are great places to look for rare and valuable rocks. Flowing water in these natural channels acts as a sorting mechanism, carrying rocks and minerals from different geological formations and depositing them along the banks or in sediment beds.
Thanks to this natural way of moving, rock collectors can find a wide variety of rocks from many different places, all in a small area. Streambeds and banks may expose previously hidden geological layers, offering more accessible access to sought-after specimens.
Common Thunder Egg-Hunting Questions
It’s important to know the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about thunder eggs in New Mexico, such as:
Is it illegal to collect thunder eggs in New Mexico?
You can collect thunder eggs in New Mexico if you follow the rules. If you’re on government property, make sure you’re following the local laws. If you’re on private property, make sure you have permission.
The Best Places To Buy Thunder Eggs In New Mexico
Not everyone enjoys spending hours outside looking for thunder eggs. Sometimes, you only want a pretty thing to show off at home or add to your collection. Here are some more places to find beautiful thunder eggs:
- Border Rock Shop – 980 E Motel Dr, Lordsburg, NM 88045, United States
- Mama’s Minerals – 2500 12th St NW Ste F, Albuquerque, NM 87104, United States
- New Mexico Rocks – 10000 Coors Bypass NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114, United States
- Taos Rockers – 229 Cam De La Placita, Taos, NM 87571, United States
- Trina’s Rock Shop – 1812 Columbus Rd, Deming, NM 88030, United States
If you have any recommendations for our list, please leave a comment below!
