5 Nevada mines where you can dig for gems & keep your treasure

Nevada is home to many mines where you can dig for gemstones to keep for yourself. Here are the top five spots.

Nevada may be known as the Silver State, but that’s not all that’s in “them thar hills.” Throughout Nevada, myriad gemstones can be found, from turquoise in all shades of blue and green to Nevada’s own state gemstone, the rare and beautiful Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal. Many visitors to Nevada can’t resist coming away with a piece of jewelry made from the state’s own gems, and it’s easy to see why.

While you can find these beautiful gemstones in jewelry stores and other commercial venues around Nevada, if you want to have a true Wild West experience, you can act like an old-time prospector and mine your own gems! Check out these exciting spots where you can grab your pickaxe and hunt for treasures:

1. Royal Peacock Opal Mines

Denio, Nevada

One of the state’s best-known sites to mine for opals, Royal Peacock Opal Mines lends itself to a full treasure-hunting trip. In addition to their famous mines, Royal Peacock also offers camping, an RV park, and two cozy furnished cabins for you to spend the night in. Royal Peacock offers several options for you to dig for your own opals, including “bank digging”—or, for less experienced miners and families, raking the tailings on the edge of digging sites. And the best part? Whatever you find is yours to keep!

2. Rainbow Ridge Opal Mines

Virgin Valley, Nevada

Since 1949, the Hodson family has owned and operated Rainbow Ridge Opal Mines, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024. From May through September, children and adults alike can reserve a spot to mine for opals at Rainbow Ridge, either by digging the tailings or by digging a specially prepared ground load of virgin Earth. The Hodsons want visitors to be aware that the mine is in a very remote spot, so be sure to stock up on gasoline and snacks before you make the trek!

3. Otteson Brothers Turquoise

Tonopah, Nevada

Have you caught “turquoise fever”? If so, there’s no better place in Nevada than the Otteson Brothers turquoise mine. At Otteson Brothers, rather than receiving a permit, you’ll be able to choose from a full-day or half-day mine tour. Both include a tour of the Otteson family’s world-famous property, the Royston Turquoise Mine, and end with the opportunity to dig for a bag of blue-green turquoise to take home with you. Advance reservations are necessary, and tours fill up fast, so be sure to book well in advance of your trip!

4. Bonanza Opal Mines

Virgin Valley, Nevada

Offering visitors the chance to dig for “the brightest opals in the world, this Virgin Valley mining site offers more than digging for its visitors. Bonanza Opal Mines prides itself on its amenities and variety of things to do, including free camping at their onsite campground, swimming pools fed by warm natural springs, wildlife spotting, and more. Of course, when it’s time to dig, you’ll be shown to the tailings and walked through how to safely use your equipment. Bonanza is child-friendly and even offers special deals for birthday parties!

5. Garnet Hill

Ely District. Nevada

For the truly adventurous, Garnet Hill goes a step beyond a conventional mine—it’s the only designated “rock-hounding” site in Nevada’s Ely District! Known by gemstone enthusiasts around the world, Garnet Hill is home to rich natural deposits of dark-red, semi-precious garnet stones. This is a site that’s best for experienced rock hounds, as you may have to do some rock breaking—or you can just carefully scan the ground for stones. For those up to the task, you might find yourself the proud owner of January’s birthstone when you unearth a real Nevada garnet.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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