Where to Find Silver in New Mexico: 114 Mapped Sites
New Mexico has 114 documented sites where silver have been reported, and the best-known are Gold Bar Group, Sprouse-Copeland Mines, and Big Three Prospect. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 2 of the 114 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Silver Map: New Mexico
All 114 silver sites in New Mexico. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Silver Are Found in New Mexico
Silver rides hydrothermal veins, usually alongside galena and other sulfides, and enriches in the oxidized upper parts of old mining districts. Historic silver-district dumps are the practical hunting ground.
The richest reported sites in New Mexico: Gold Bar Group, Sprouse-Copeland Mines, Big Three Prospect, Jones Mine, Joy Group.
Of the 114 sites, 2 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Silver Sites in New Mexico
- Gold Bar Group — Forest Service
- Sprouse-Copeland Mines — Forest Service
- Big Three Prospect — BLM/Public Lands
- Jones Mine — Forest Service
- Joy Group — Forest Service
- Mineral Creek — Forest Service
- Picuris District — BLM/Public Lands
- Pinos Altos Mine — Forest Service
- Ajax Tunnel Prospect — Forest Service
- Barite Hill No. 1 Prospect — Forest Service
- Black Knife — BLM/Public Lands
- Eighty Four Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- El Oro and La Plata Group — BLM/Public Lands
- Gypsy Iv Group — Forest Service
- Hansonburg Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Hop Williams Mine — Forest Service
- Hornet Group — Forest Service
- Little Baldy Tunnel — Forest Service
- Live Oak Prospect — Forest Service
- Margie Ann — Forest Service
- Mex-Tex Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Name Unknown — BLM/Public Lands
- New York Group — Forest Service
- Rialto Group — Forest Service
- Silver Bell — Forest Service
- Silver Load and Silver Streak — Forest Service
- Silver Trail Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Standard Metal Min. & Mill Co — Forest Service
- Strozzi Prospect — Forest Service
- Summit — Forest Service
- Summit Deposit — Forest Service
- Tenderfoot Creek Prospects — Forest Service
- Toggery Mine ? — Forest Service
- Vindicator — BLM/Public Lands
- Wagon Wheel Group — Forest Service
- Wasp Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Barnett Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Black Hawk Mine — Forest Service
- Buckhorn Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Buffalo and Mountain View Prospects — Forest Service
- Central District: Bayard Subdistrict — BLM/Public Lands
- Copper Prospect — Forest Service
- Deep Canon Prospect — Forest Service
- Donnell Prospect — Forest Service
- Gofor and Spire Mine — Forest Service
- Good Fortune Prospect — Forest Service
- Grandview Mine — Forest Service
- Granite Peak — BLM/Public Lands
- Groundhog Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Hecla Prospect — Forest Service
Showing 50 of 114 sites — every site appears on the map above.
How to Identify Silver
Native silver rarely looks silver in the field — it tarnishes dark gray to black. The tells are its wire and branching (dendritic) growth habits, serious heft, and malleability: a knife point digs a bright metallic groove instead of flaking the surface. On mine dumps, dark heavy pieces that cut rather than crumble deserve a second look.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find silver in New Mexico?
New Mexico has 114 mapped sites where silver have been reported. The best-known are Gold Bar Group, Sprouse-Copeland Mines, and Big Three Prospect. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many silver sites are mapped in New Mexico?
We have 114 documented silver sites in New Mexico, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect silver in New Mexico?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify silver?
Native silver rarely looks silver in the field — it tarnishes dark gray to black. The tells are its wire and branching (dendritic) growth habits, serious heft, and malleability: a knife point digs a bright metallic groove instead of flaking the surface. On mine dumps, dark heavy pieces that cut rather than crumble deserve a second look.
What should I bring to collect silver?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System, community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.