Where to Find Common Opal
22 mapped common opal spots across 9 regions. Pick a region for its local guide, or browse every spot below. Common Opal is reported at multiple rockhounding spots across the United States. The map below shows where collectors most often find it on legal public ground.
Every mapped common opal spot
Best spotDel Norte Thunder Egg BedsSaguache County, ColoradoPublic access · Plume Agate, Moss Agate, Chalcedony +2
Bergen Hill by Hudson RiverHudson County, New JerseyPermission required · Banded Agate, Albite, Amethyst +11
General Area (Hudson/Passaic)Hudson County, New JerseyPublic access · Banded Agate, Albite, Amethyst +11- Snake HillHudson County, New JerseyPublic access · Banded Agate, Albite, Amethyst +11
- The PalisadesBergen County, New JerseyPublic access · Banded Agate, Albite, Amethyst +11
- Bergen CountyBergen County, New JerseyPublic access · Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian +5
- RockvilleMalheur County, OregonCheck locally · Opalized Wood, Agatized Wood, Chalcedony +4
- Cape Fear River and tributariesCumberland County, North CarolinaPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Chert +3
- Cumberland CountyCumberland County, North CarolinaPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Chert +3
- HobokenHudson County, New JerseyPublic access · Agate, Amethyst, Common Opal +3
- Kansas CityJackson County, MissouriPublic access · Aragonite, Barite, Calcite +3
- Rainbow Ridge Opal MineHumboldt County, NevadaPublic access · Precious Opal, Black Opal, Fire Opal +3
- Dry CreekLake County, OregonCheck locally · Red Jasper, Jasper, Quartz +2
- Haystack ButteMalheur County, OregonCheck locally · Jellybean Jasper, Agate, Petrified Wood +2
- Ore Car MineClark County, NevadaPublic access · Common Opal, Wonderstone, Rhyolite +2
- ConcordCabarrus County, North CarolinaPublic access · Agate, Carnelian, Chalcedony +1
- Greenfire Opal MineHumboldt County, NevadaPermission required · Opal, Black Opal, Fire Opal +1
- Fort BayardGrant County, New MexicoPublic access · Common Opal, Fire Opal
- Negro Rock Petrified WoodMalheur County, OregonPublic access · Petrified Wood, Common Opal
- VyaWashoe County, NevadaCheck locally · Common Opal, Obsidian
- Poison CreekCuster County, IdahoPublic access · Common Opal
- WatervilleDouglas County, WashingtonPublic access · Common Opal
Top regions for common opal
United States
22 spots · 9 regionsCommon Opal rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find common opal?+
New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon have the highest concentrations of common opal in this list. Quality and access vary by area, so open the linked region pages for a detailed view.
How many common opal rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
22 mapped spots across 9 regions. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect common opal on public land?+
In the U.S., casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like common opal is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Rules differ by country and region, so always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify common opal in the field?+
Field identification of common opal comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.
Hunt common opal on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
