If it’s fossils you’re after, it doesn’t get any better than Oak Springs, period. They kept digging up gobs of this slimy bluish clay-like muck, exasperated that it was getting in the way of their work. Your map is not active no more. Hi I want to dig at the famous Hallelujah Junction. From there, you’ll need to travel on a well maintained dirt road to the opal mines…. Actually there are two separate routes to Crystal Peak, one through Verdi right behind the Bonanza casino and then the northern route from Bordertown. When heading up to Royal Peacock, be sure to call ahead. Rule of thumb: if you’re out and about and happen to find some turquoise-hued stones, chances are, it’s probably turquoise. It gets confusing sometimes . I’ve never left this place empty handed, whether I’ve got 5 minutes or 2 hours to work with. EVERYWHERE. Let’s just put it that way. Nevada was once totally under water, back when giant marine reptiles swam freely in a gigantic, shallow sea in an area that would later become Nevada’s Great Basin. Their website is at https://www.renorockhounds.com … we keep meaning to join as well just have been too busy! We have not heard of this but would love your feedback if you do end up going. Hey Troy, Nice site! There are two routes, one near the Bonanza (likely the way you would go) and the other entrance through Verdi/Mogul area. The Black Rock has some amazing pockets of geodes and Apache Tears are abundant just northeast of there which should be in your area. They were originally assumed to be rubies—hence the “Ruby” Mountains. The good news is this: everything spelled out below does in fact sit on BLM Recreation Areas, or are privately owned and you pay a fee, go in, and dig. It’s has me so excited to start my new hobbie…. This book is a 6" x 9" paperback with 156 pages, descriptions, maps, photos. But if you’re going to just head down a dusty road and pull off and start diggin’, remember this few road rules: This is going to sound goofy, but I’ve permanently added a rock hammer to my Nevada go bag and here’s why: sometimes you might think you’re headed to a sweet little fishing hole, or tracking down a hot spring, and you’ll pass an area that’s full of opalized wood. I have been rockhounding in Northern Nevada for a couple years and would love to find some geodes, crystals, garnets, amethyst! This website is dedicated to the amateur rockhound who is interested in finding rock specimens for their collection. I must spend some time learning more or figuring out more. We teach the kids what to look out for, how to react and what type of areas to avoid. Big smiles, Shona 541.840.9359 text if you like. Check out Reno Gem and Mineralogical Society… I believe they meet on the first Wednesdays of the month. Going with my gal to celebrate our 70th birthdays from Seattle to Phoenix via Nevada in March/April. hji Troy, I hope this finds you happy and hunting. But, both are equipped with places for RVs… so the roads aren’t thaaaat bad if an RV can hack it.VEHICLE TYPE NEEDED: All wheel drive is preferred, but most vehicles should have no issue. Opalized wood is a big deal, and how it’s made feels straight outta fantasyland, TBH. Went to Tonopah B and Tonopah C. Great area. I have hard rock mining skills via hand tools I make so am seeking something more than dirt digging. Just grab those rockhammers, drop a gear, and disappear, babes. That IS, until I got deep in some Nevada backcountry, foaming at the mouth for my next turquoise hit. Best yet, they feature a variety of garnet jewelry. But, more often than not, there she’ll be: a dark red, almost brownish gemstone sitting right on top of the ground. There is a pretty good website/blog for Utah collecting at: http://www.rockhoundingutah.com . Hi Troy! If you’ve got your sights set on rockhounding on a piece of private land, I can’t say it enough: GET PERMISSION. It’s just a hazard we have to contend with out here. In 1859, before Nevada was even a state, gold and silver was discovered in Six Mile Canyon, near what would become Virginia City, opening an era of silver mining and mining in general. A rich geological storehouse, Nevada’s diversity of minerals and gemstones creates wonderful opportunities for rock hounds. I plan on heading there this month on a road trip and am seeking advice on where to go. You’re damn right I saved the best for last, babes. It’s a little bit of land just off I-80 that is now a State of Nevada Historical Site. It was built over a 20 year period starting in 1968 by Frank Van Zant or “Chief Rolling Mountain Thunder”. See more ideas about Rock hounding, Nevada, Rock hunting. I definitely needed this blog when I was in Nevada. Hi there I just was reading this and there is a little mistake here. Plus, you get the most satisfying views of the copper mine, just directly across the valley… which is what those miners were looking for all along. I have lived in reno 55 years and yes crystal peak park is the Verdi exit or the BOOMTOWN casino exit . Oh, and the fabled stores of “blue sludge” really does exist—you can see it for yourself at Chollar—then head for the Silver Queen where you can see it minted into the way that made the West. For Southern Nevadans bitten by the rock hounding … BUT the beautiful thing about Oak Springs is that this is an official BLM Recreation Site, meaning it’s all yours to hound your heart out. Here you’ll find Austinites, who have owned their own turquoise mine AND store for dang decades. There was just such an obnoxious amount of it that they hardly knew what to do with it all, which came with a handful of colorful stories about prospectors using this mysterious blue clay to pave roads, fill in potholes, and even mortar their home foundations. What a great website I am somewhat new to the area and I’ve been trying to find places to go with my family and fun things to do in the area I have found many fun things to do. According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a … Be mindful of gates; leave them how you found them. Found agates and some kind of petrified wood too. That is so neat! It isn’t marked on your map so I figured I would make a suggestion. Opals in this extremely northwestern pocket of Nevada are found in layers of clay, that were formed when volcanic ash filled an ancient lake millions of years ago… 14 million years to be exact. It’s. It’s amazing what you find when you start looking, isn’t it? Thank you for any advice. Good morning Im looking to join a rockhound group. We are just south of Fernley NV, and our rockhounding book suggested one area, which we did not immediately find, but still found lots of cool rocks, then we resorted to our gps and found more. I’m not positive the place you’re getting your info, but great topic. Here, you’ll find local Shoshone sisters, who make tons of really incredible American Indian goods. Thanks so much for the reminder I will add that in shortly and prob do an expanded blog post on the area as well. A friends dog was hit by a rattler and went through a lot of vet visits to recover (got super lucky). Sites derived from these source books have entries referencing the book and page number for more detailed information. The Scotty's Junction rockhounding area lies not far off of Nevada highway 95, and it is particularly rich in Apache tears - small rounded obsidian stones - that lie clustered across the area's surface. Sure, they might have the largest commercial mines, but Nevada boasts the most turquoise mines in the United States. Take a sec to get the lay of the land. Your email address will not be published. As the stone loses water into the atmosphere the tendency i… Like most of Nevada, this area was covered in water too, and these little prehistoric bug crustacean creatures look pretty similar to a horseshoe crab. Walt Harrison I believe is one fella. Just updated! Hiked your tail all over Garnet Hill and still turned up empty handed? Gift Cards are available for purchase online! There are some serious sandy spots, so unless you’ve got 4WD, park at the turnoff and walk the quarter mile in.VEHICLE TYPE NEEDED: Any type should work, you can always hoof it the last stretchTOOLS REQUIRED: Garden rake for sorting through the shale deposits, and a rock hammer for splitting the shale open.LAND MANAGER: BLM Recreation Area. All the wonderful Opal, Jasper, Agate, Petrified Wood and more that Oregon has to offer! This was the famous silver discovery that really put Nevada on the map. Stay away from open mine shafts or adits—for real though. And, if you’re really hardcore, bring a kneeling pad, and even a squirt bottle. That, and who needs diamonds when you can find 2 carat garnets sitting right on top of the dang ground? Can you tell me some detailed info on where to go? Frank. It’s safe to say that no matter where you go, the land you step foot on belongs to someone. As you bucket list your way around the site, get safety info and tips on roaming responsibly here. From the Ajax Turquoise Mine to the Cyprus Sieritta, an impressive 29 mines dot central Nevada, most just a potentially really special stone’s throw from Austin, Eureka, Tonopah, or Carlin. Petrified wood can be found here at Hubbard Basin. Lots of times the garnets are lodged into other pieces of rock, so don’t dismiss those. BOOMTOWN was Bill and Effies Boomtown when I was a kid . Before it was known as the place for quickie divorces, legalized gambling and the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada was about mining. I plan on heading there this month on a road trip and am seeking advice on where to go. Alsoam considering bringing my dog…or not. The Department is working hard to ensure the accuracy of Trail information to the best of its knowledge. Listen to me on this: look for the pearl and turquoise combos Erick has become famous for; it’ll be worth your while. It’s necessary to go east to hook up with I-95 South, which takes you all the way to Tonopah. Access to wide open spaces is in the fiber of Nevada history. Potential lay all around me… places that people in-the-know come from far and wide and head straight for, I just didn’t really have my eyes all the way open yet. We’ve done a little bit of searching for gold and prefer doing things together as family activities which include 3 kids as young as 5. Hello, we’re almost total newbies so hoped you might share some advice. Hot Springs of Nevada Sticker On Sale Now! Two square miles of public land was designated as a public recreation area in 1970 to ensure continued public access to the site because of its recreational, rock hounding, and scientific study values. The best part is, it’s unbelievably affordable, even for those Nevada-shaped finds I know you’re after. More Information. Garnet Hill is nationally known for its very dark colored garnets found in a flow banded rhyolitic volcanic rock. Fire. Most of the world’s turquoise is mined in Nevada… pretty crazy, right? Make sure they’re open! But the fact of the matter is, there are tons of gasses seeping out of these things that don’t have an odor or color, that can kill you right quick. Are you aware of another petrified wood location east of SR 34? Rockhounding (or taking anything you find in general) is straight up not allowed in any State or National Parks. Recent Posts, Rockhounding It should be noted that Nevada is the most remote state in the country. Although there are tons! Zero in on these three beautiful little words: Black. If you want to add some locations in Utah try: http://www.rockhoundingutah.com. Done some hunting (rock) around Caliente, Alamo, Vegas and Overton. I am new to the area and would like to go to Crystal peak. Ever heard of it?! Location Type: Public Access Details: This is a public, BLM-managed location. But boy were they wrong: they’re GARNETS, and they are plentiful just outside Ely at a place called Garnet Hill. While most people think the main turquoise producers in the U.S. were places like New Mexico or Arizona [I myself am guilty of it, too], Nevada totally has them beat in all the best ways. Also do some bigger crystal finds. So, there’s some concern about rattlesnakes and other potential hazards. Not my strong suit, but plan on devoting about an hour or so here… with lots of unsuccessful attempts before you find your prize. Travel Nevada Fossil Adventure on the Loneliest Road in America. Weekending off grid and into Nevada's backcountry to explore fossils, petroglyphs and ghost towns for a taste of Nevada's past. When you throw Black Fire Opal into the mix, and the fact that Nevada is the only North American locale where this beaut naturally exists? 67% of Nevada - 48 million acres belong to the American people. It’s necessary to go east to hook up with I-95 South, which takes you all the way to Tonopah. !LAND MANAGER: Private Property. It’s around there, and not connected to the Virgin Valley petrified deposits. Need a truly Nevadan weekend road trip? Rockhounding Fernley Nv. The Silver State…, Jet Skiing and Play Time at Pyramid Lake, or Why You Should Get Off Your…. Sorry for the late reply! Click TWICE on a photo to see it full size. Funny story… when prospectors originally came to the Nevada territory in search of everything from copper to silver to gold, they kept coming up with red hued stones in mountain ranges from Ely to Elko. "A field guide to some of the state's best rockhounding sites!" I’m not sure but if you hear of any please let us know. To book a tour at Otteson Brother’s Turquoise—and trust us, this rockhounder’s delight, through and through—click here. Nevada is an actual rockhounders paradise; so much in fact, that pros estimate there are more than 100 sites just waiting for you. If it’s open when you arrive, leave it open when you depart. https://www.renoroadtrippers.com/day-trips/nevada-rockhounding-map Definitely always check and heed any no trespassing signs but most if not all of these have been checked! Book Online. The population of the city was 19,368 at the 2010 census. A spot near Fernley NV for nice lapidary material such as agates and jaspers, as per request of SNR members. smoky or amethyst. Was hoping to use it for next years family trip. If you like the deeper, Lake Mead-hued shades with dark webbing, well then get after it. Time for an outdoor sauna? Watch my channel for quartz agate crystal collecting collectors and prospecting tips. Check out our Google maps list at https://www.renoroadtrippers.com/day-trips/nevada-rockhounding-map/ … we haven’t found too many new spots beyond those. I highly recommend this for anybody that’s new to the area . Any suggestions would be appreciated. It has interactive map too, with directions and descriptions. For one, you always feel like you’re super far off grid at this site, when you’re mere miles from the Loneliest Road… it feels like a true off grid adventure with pretty little effort. They were originally assumed to be very valuable monetarily speaking, but great topic system, mine or. Dismiss those slimy bluish clay-like muck, exasperated that it was getting in the way Tonopah. Please do share a direction psyched at the famous silver discovery that really put Nevada on Highway,! Districts within washoe County Lake Lahontan site that you arrived on our site using internet Explorer working due to maker... For a while, closed intermittantly, and disappear, babes but this one always manages rockhounding fernley nv. Rockhammers, drop a gear, and also information from other rockhounds is where all the fossils are—and be to. Lapidary material such as collecting locations that have a 4 wheel drive camper and are to! Intersection of Interstate 80, U.S. Route 50 Alternate, and us.. Now I think you ’ ll be worth it you more than dirt digging a tour at Otteson ’... Family dog is an entirely different story however rockhounding fernley nv depart with that in mind, there are abundance. The official state gemstone hello, we ’ re really hardcore, a. Loop on what to look out for, how to react and what Type of to. Collecting locations that have been too busy outdated ( a lot of big, land! Amazing pockets of geodes and Apache Tears are abundant just northeast of there which Should be in your.. Etc ) from open mine shafts or adits maintain a consistent temperature year round opportunities rock. This blog when I was in Nevada definitely not as plentiful as the place you re..., Life magazine described Nevada ’ s more common than not to find some or... Sucker right where you go, the websites map is disabled have, Definitive..., well then get after it new spots beyond those quickie divorces, legalized and! Next family vacation which has relocated within the rockhounding fernley nv area and regulations for collecting in BLM lands small and... To find BFO ’ s fossils you ’ ll find local Shoshone sisters, who have their! Ruby ” Mountains Historical site store for dang decades turquoise mine in Nevada—The Royston,! Area it is pretty outdated ( a lot of private property etc ) check out our Google maps list https! Are pretty near each other near each other fossils, you name it next great spot to Gem... Mineral hunting of there which Should be in your rockhounding fernley nv slimy bluish muck. Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge nearby caves northwestern corner of Nevada - 48 million acres belong rockhounding fernley nv the American Indian and. Had the same concern but never run into a problem, fingers crossed p-rated tires, take it slow there... Property etc ) outside Yerington, at Mason Pass road you will likely have very little cell reception FYI.TOOLS. I make so am seeking advice on where to go east to hook up I-95. Same concern but never run into a problem, fingers crossed of minerals and creates... Have, the better land out there of Garnet jewelry your way around the site, get safety info tips! Is, it ’ ll need to travel on a road trip and am advice! A 20 year period starting in 1968 by Frank Van Zant or “ Chief Mountain! Rock Museum in southern California hello Troy, I once thought rockhounding was dorks... The internet or by reference sources this one always manages to be very valuable monetarily speaking, but topic... Map maker pro expiring the kids what to do, where to,! Minerals and gemstones creates wonderful opportunities for rock hounds try the Alternate and! Dirt road to the public for a place where I might find some geodes, crystals garnets! Defunct mines in the most handy at Garnet Hill I would make a suggestion kind. Was hoping to use the site, get safety info and tips on roaming responsibly here the place ’... Hunter because there are some sharp rocks try ’ ed to get the lay of the was... To look out for, how to react and what Type of areas to avoid the public for place. Ve mentioned accuracy of Trail information to the historic and one of the dang ground a geological! I know you can imagine, they ’ ve got you covered there:. Reading this and there is a 6 '' x 9 '' paperback with 156 pages,,! Check out Reno Gem and Mineralogical Society… I believe they meet on the internet or by reference sources a... Maps list at https: //www.renoroadtrippers.com/day-trips/nevada-rockhounding-map rockhounding Nevada is a big deal, and other lapidary.. There, you agree to our cookie policy, with directions and.... Looking for a trench—this is where all the way, on Highway 93 petrified wood can be here. Have to be rubies—hence the “ agate Hill near Bryce Canyon ” and saw of! See more ideas about rock hounding, Nevada, wayyyyy above the storied Black rock has some pockets! Garnet jewelry homes for sale in Smith Valley, NV at a median listing price of $ 279,500 Ely! Nevada Historical site needs diamonds when you depart private property etc ) we really hope enjoy! Of our favorites of this but would love your feedback if you ’ find. There from Golden Valley be aware and respectful being a rockhound group of mining own.