The Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a popular rock hounding area located near
the town of Duncan in eastern Arizona. Please follow all rules and regulations
when rock hounding.

<p>The Round Mountain Rockhound Area is a popular rock hounding area located near the town of Duncan in eastern Arizona. Please follow all rules and regulations when rock hounding. </p>

Bird's eye view of the park

Round Mountain Rockhound Area

The Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness (19,440 acres) in Arizona and is managed
by the Bureau of Land Management. In 1990, the Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness
became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation
System established by the Wilderness Act of 1964. In wilderness, you can enjoy
challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for
solitude. Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave
No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural
and experiential qualities. How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace
principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky
Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about
how they apply. Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical
transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as
wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs),
motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the
landing of aircraft including helicopters Contact the agency for more
information about regulations. Some lands adjacent to the wilderness are
private or State lands. Please respect landowners' property rights and do not
cross or use these lands without permission.

The Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness (19,440 acres) in Arizona and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. In 1990, the Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System established by the Wilderness Act of 1964. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude.  Please follow the regulations in place for this area, and use Leave No Trace techniques when visiting to ensure protection of its unique natural and experiential qualities. 
How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply. 
 
Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport are generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. This includes the use of motor vehicles (including OHVs), motorboats, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters Contact the agency for more information about regulations. 
 
Some lands adjacent to the wilderness are private or State lands. Please respect landowners' property rights and do not cross or use these lands without permission.

Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness

The Peloncillo Mountains WSA is in southwestern New Mexico and contiguous with
the Peloncillo Wilderness in Arizona. The landform is comprised of low
mountains, cliffs, and numerous canyons, with gentle hills covered in desert
grasses and shrubs. Desert bighorn sheep inhabit the Peloncillo Mountains as
well as Gila monsters and pincushion cacti.

The Peloncillo Mountains WSA is in southwestern New Mexico and contiguous with the Peloncillo Wilderness in Arizona. The landform is comprised of low mountains, cliffs, and numerous canyons, with gentle hills covered in desert grasses and shrubs. Desert bighorn sheep inhabit the Peloncillo Mountains as well as Gila monsters and pincushion cacti.

Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness Study Area

An oasis in the desert, the Gila Lower Box WSA is located in southwestern New
Mexico about 20 miles northwest of Lordsburg. The Gila River has cut a five
mile-long steep-walled canyon 600 feet deep in some areas, creating the "Lower
Box." The pristine canyon is heavily vegetated with riparian species such as
ash, cottonwood, Arizona sycamore, and willow. The Lower Box has very high
biological diversity with 265 species of birds, 67 mammal species, 12 species
of amphibians, and 54 reptile species recorded. This is one of the best bird
watching areas in New Mexico. The area contains cultural features including
petroglyphs and rock shelters.

An oasis in the desert, the Gila Lower Box WSA is located in southwestern New Mexico about 20 miles northwest of Lordsburg. The Gila River has cut a five mile-long steep-walled canyon 600 feet deep in some areas, creating the "Lower Box." The pristine canyon is heavily vegetated with riparian species such as ash, cottonwood, Arizona sycamore, and willow. The Lower Box has very high biological diversity with 265 species of birds, 67 mammal species, 12 species of amphibians, and 54 reptile species recorded. This is one of the best bird watching areas in New Mexico. The area contains cultural features including petroglyphs and rock shelters.

Gila Lower Box Wilderness Study Area

The Gila Lower Box Canyon is a true oasis in the desert, 20 miles north of
Lordsburg, New Mexico. Since livestock were removed from the river canyon in
1990, a lush native community of cottonwood, willows, and other riparian and
aquatic vegetation has re-established and flourished. The area provides some
of the best birding in New Mexico. Home to approximately 200 species, it has
one of the highest bird diversities in the state. The area provides habitat to
many rare and unusual birds including Bell's vireo, peregrine, bald eagle (in
winter), golden eagle, black hawk, zone-tail hawk, gray hawk, yellow-billed
cuckoo, Gila wood pecker, and Abert's towhee. The river provides opportunities
for canoeing or rafting during spring runoff, hunting, and year-round fishing
and camping. The river contains smallmouth bass and several species of
catfish.

The Gila Lower Box Canyon is a true oasis in the desert, 20 miles north of Lordsburg, New Mexico. Since livestock were removed from the river canyon in 1990, a lush native community of cottonwood, willows, and other riparian and aquatic vegetation has re-established and flourished. The area provides some of the best birding in New Mexico.  Home to approximately 200 species, it has one of the highest bird diversities in the state.  The area provides habitat to many rare and unusual birds including Bell's vireo, peregrine, bald eagle (in winter), golden eagle, black hawk, zone-tail hawk, gray hawk, yellow-billed cuckoo, Gila wood pecker, and Abert's towhee. The river provides opportunities for canoeing or rafting during spring runoff, hunting, and year-round fishing and camping. The river contains smallmouth bass and several species of catfish.

Gila Lower Box Canyon

The Blue Creek WSA is located in the southwestern portion of New Mexico and is
dominated by a volcanic fault block mountain named Black Mountain. The
intermittent Blue Creek passes through the eastern part of the WSA and the
narrow cliff-walled canyon is dominated by ash, cottonwood, Arizona sycamore,
and willow. The uplands are dominated by desert grasses and shrubs.

The Blue Creek WSA is located in the southwestern portion of New Mexico and is dominated by a volcanic fault block mountain named Black Mountain. The intermittent Blue Creek passes through the eastern part of the WSA and the narrow cliff-walled canyon is dominated by ash, cottonwood, Arizona sycamore, and willow. The uplands are dominated by desert grasses and shrubs.

Round Mountain Rockhound Area

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness

Peloncillo Mountains Wilderness Study Area

Gila Lower Box Wilderness Study Area

Gila Lower Box Canyon

Blue Creek Wilderness Study Area