Rockhounding in Nevada: where to find gems and minerals
Good news for rockhounds: Nevada has gems and minerals to find. We've mapped 614 places where gems and minerals have been recorded, all on public land open to prospecting. 184 of them have no active mining claim: grab your rock hammer and go, with hand tools you don't need anyone's permission. 430 are on someone's mining claim, so ask the claim holder before you dig at those.
See all 614 spots on the Nevada map
How to read the map
- Green: public land, no active claim. Go ahead with your rock hammer and hand tools, no permission needed.
- Yellow: public land with an active mining claim. Ask the claim holder before you dig.
Many recorded sites are old mines. Shafts, tunnels and bad air can kill: never go inside. Prospect in the creek and on the surface, and use common sense out there. See our terms.
What people find in Nevada
Gemstone (206 spots), Fluorite (162 spots), Turquoise (82 spots), Jasper (34 spots), Tourmaline (32 spots), Opal (31 spots), Rhodochrosite (27 spots), Beryllium minerals (25 spots), Wulfenite (23 spots), Beryl (15 spots), Azurite (15 spots), Pegmatite (mica) (12 spots)
Questions we often get
Where can I go rockhounding in Nevada?
We haven't found a place in Nevada set up for visitors yet, but there's still plenty to explore on your own. On the map you'll find 184 spots on public land with no active mining claim, where you can go with hand tools without asking anyone.
Are the gem and mineral sites in Nevada under mining claims?
Some are. Every spot we map in Nevada is on public land open to prospecting, but 430 of the 614 fall inside an active mining claim. A claim means someone holds the mineral rights there, so you need their permission to dig. The other 184 have no active claim: those you can work with hand tools, no permission needed.
Are there rock and mineral clubs in Nevada?
We haven't listed one in Nevada yet. Check back soon: we're adding clubs state by state.