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Where to Find Obsidian in Nevada

Nevada has 6 mapped collecting spots that report obsidian, spread across 5 counties. The largest share sits in Washoe County County with 2 spots. 6 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.

Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.

Map of 6 obsidian collecting spots in Nevada

Standout obsidian spots in Nevada

Hand-picked from the full list below, with the reason each one earns a trip.

Best counties for obsidian in Nevada

Ranked by the number of mapped obsidian spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.

Every obsidian spot we track in Nevada

Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.

SpotCountyMineralsCoordinatesAccess
Montezuma PeakEsmeralda County37.6626, -117.3611Public
Little High Rock CanyonHumboldt County41.2891, -119.2930Public
Scotty’s JunctionNye County37.2329, -116.9761Public
Black Rock DesertPershing County40.8859, -119.0567Public
SparksWashoe County39.5483, -119.6706Public
VyaLeadville RoadWashoe County41.2513, -119.5570Public

Before you go

Read the obsidian identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Obsidian in the encyclopedia.

Obsidian in Nevada FAQ

Where can you find obsidian in Nevada?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Washoe County County, Esmeralda County County, and Humboldt County County. Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.
How many obsidian spots are mapped in Nevada?+
6 spots across 5 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.
Is it legal to collect obsidian in Nevada?+
Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 6 of the 6 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.

More minerals to hunt in Nevada

Hunt obsidian in Nevada with the map in your pocket

RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.

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