About this location
Mount Chalchihuitl is one of the most important prehistoric turquoise mines in North America, and it's in the Cerrillos Hills southwest of Santa Fe. Native peoples worked its open pits, short tunnels, and shallow shafts starting around A.D. 900, pulling out the blue-green stone that Tlascalan traders from central Mexico prized above anything else — "chalchihuitl" is their word for it [1]. After 1300, San Marcos Pueblo controlled the deposit. American mining promoters took a swing at gold and silver here in 1879-1880, and the site was added to the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties in 1978 [1]. This is a genuine archaeological and mining-history site, not a self-guided rockhounding spot — the only documented way onto the property today is a paid guided tour, and it's not a casual walk-up.
Always seek permission where required, follow local laws, and practice Leave No Trace. Locations and details are community-submitted and may be inaccurate. Not sure what's legal here? Read our full guide to rockhounding laws by land type.
Found Here
- Turquoise — the site's namesake material; historically the most significant deposit in the Cerrillos district [1]. Not available for casual collecting — this is a protected historic site, viewed on tour, not dug.
- Agate, Chalcedony, Petrified Wood — UNVERIFIED as documented specifically at Mount Chalchihuitl. These may reflect the broader volcanic Cerrillos Hills geology rather than this specific pit; no source found ties them directly to this site.
Difficulty
Getting there
In the Cerrillos Hills, roughly 16 miles south of Santa Fe, Santa Fe County — the same hills that contain Cerrillos Hills State Park [2]. The site itself is remote and on rough terrain; access is arranged through the guided tour operator, not via a public trailhead.
Collecting here
No collecting — this is a look-only historic mine visited on a guided tour, not a dig site. The tour is described as not appropriate for children under 13 given the terrain [3].
Rates and hours
$75 per person, maximum 4 people per tour, roughly 1.5 hours. Verified against cerrillosturquoise.com, August 2026. Call or check the operator's site for current scheduling before planning a visit.
Know before you go
Mount Chalchihuitl is privately accessed through a commercial guided-tour operator (Cerrillos Turquoise), separate from the free public trails of the adjacent, state-owned Cerrillos Hills State Park [2][3]. It's a protected New Mexico State Register cultural property [1] — there's no legal basis for freelance digging here regardless of who owns the specific parcel. If you want a hands-on rockhounding trip in the area, Cerrillos Hills State Park's public trails are the separate, free option, though the park itself doesn't advertise turquoise collecting.
Location on Map
Coordinates: 35.47015, -106.11255
Nearby rockhounding locations
- Turquoise Hill and surrounding area — Agate, ChalcedonyNM · 3.1 mi
- La Bajada Mine — Bornite, BranneriteNM · 7.7 mi
- San Pedro Mountains — Chalcopyrite, ChalcociteNM · 15.4 mi
- NMMNH L-1410 — FossilNM · 13.8 mi
- Santa Fe National Forest — Agate, Apache TearsNM · 16.9 mi
- USGS 8941, Santa Fe Creek — FossilNM · 17.9 mi
Frequently asked questions
Can you dig for turquoise at Mount Chalchihuitl?
No. It's a historic mine accessed only through a paid guided tour — there's no self-guided digging or collecting.
How old is the turquoise mining at Mount Chalchihuitl?
Native peoples worked the deposit starting around A.D. 900, with San Marcos Pueblo controlling it after roughly 1300.
Is Mount Chalchihuitl the same as Cerrillos Hills State Park?
No. Mount Chalchihuitl is a specific historic mine accessed via a private guided tour; Cerrillos Hills State Park is a separate, free-to-hike state park nearby in the same hills.
How much does a tour of Mount Chalchihuitl cost?
$75 per person as of the most recently checked source (August 2026), for a roughly 1.5-hour tour with a 4-person max group size.
⚠️ 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.
Sources
- Turquoise Mining History — Cerrillos Hills and related search synthesis — mine history, A.D. 900 Native American mining, San Marcos Pueblo, 1879-1880 gold/silver venture, 1978 State Register listing.
- Cerrillos Hills State Park — Wikipedia — park size, location, 2009 state transfer, administration.
- Cerrillos Turquoise Mine Tour (via search synthesis) — tour pricing, group size, duration, age guidance.
Recommended Gear for New Mexico
Estwing E3-22P Rock Pick
The industry-standard 22oz geological hammer. One-piece forged steel with shock-reduction grip.
Clear Anti-Fog Safety Glasses (4 Pack)
Adjustable, anti-fog lenses for clear vision in any conditions. About $5 per pair.
Watertight Medical Kit
Compact, waterproof first aid kit with bandages, moleskin, and field essentials.
Rockhounding New Mexico: A Guide to 140 of the State's Best Rockhounding Sites
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