Buckskin: Gold Prospecting in Douglas County, Nevada

Public access4 mineralsDouglas County, NevadaUpdated October 2026

Minerals reported: 4
Elevation: 4,960 ft
Best months: September to June

Buckskin is a mapped rockhounding spot in Douglas County, Nevada. Reported finds include copper, gold, palladium, iron. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Douglas County
State: Nevada
Nearest road: Mason Pass Road
Coordinates: 38.99251, -119.35170

Get directions View on Google Maps

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Access note: BLM records active mining claims in this area. Collecting from inside an active claim needs the claim holder's permission.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Best time to visit Buckskin

46°J

51°F

59°M

65°A

74°M

84°J

93°J

91°A

83°S

69°O

55°N

45°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: September to June. Typical highs run 93°F in midsummer and 46°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SMITH 6 N station (8 mi away).

Geology at Buckskin

This spot sits on Walker Lake Terrane - Pine Nut assemblage - Volcanogenic, carbonate, and clastic rocks, mapped as volcanic, carbonate, and clastic that formed roughly 245 to 160 million years ago. Gold in volcanic terrain like this is usually tied to old vein systems and the gravels that drain them, so nearby washes tend to carry the color.

Mapped unit: Walker Lake Terrane - Pine Nut assemblage - Volcanogenic, carbonate, and clastic rocks
Age: 245–160 Ma (Middle Triassic to Middle Jurassic)
Rock types: volcanic, carbonate, and clastic
Elevation: 4,960 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Today's weather

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Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

BLM Nevada, Recreation
Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology
Royal Peacock Opal Mine (fee-dig operator)
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Buckskin

Each name opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Buckskin.

Singatse MountainsLyon County, Nevada · 7 mi awayChalcanthite, Bluestone
Mt. SiegelDouglas County, Nevada · 11 mi awayGold, Platinum
Pine Nut MountainsDouglas County, Nevada · 11 mi awayThulite, Topaz
GardnervilleDouglas County, Nevada · 15 mi awayGold, Silver, Copper
Churchill ButteLyon County, Nevada · 23 mi awayTungsten
Silver CityLyon County, Nevada · 24 mi awayGold, Iron, Platinum
GenoaDouglas County, Nevada · 27 mi awayCopper, Gold, Silver
Virginia CityStorey County, Nevada · 27 mi awayCopper, Gold, Lead

Across the state line from Buckskin

Buckskin is close enough to the Nevada border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Hallelujah JunctionLassen County, California · 65 mi awayQuartz
Shady Run GravelsPlacer County, California · 76 mi awayGarnet, Serpentine

Buckskin FAQ

Where is Buckskin?+

Buckskin is in Douglas County, Nevada, at 38.99251, -119.35170. Nearest road: Mason Pass Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Buckskin?+

Buckskin is reported to produce Copper, Gold, Palladium, Iron.

Is collecting allowed at Buckskin?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Buckskin?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Buckskin?+

The most comfortable months at Buckskin are September to June.

How do I get to Buckskin?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.99251, -119.35170 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Mason Pass Road.

More rockhounding in Nevada

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