Pine Nut Mountains: Thulite & Topaz Rockhounding in Douglas County, Nevada

Updated June 2026

Pine Nut Mountains is a mapped rockhounding spot in Douglas County, Nevada. Reported finds include thulite, topaz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Douglas County
State: Nevada
Coordinates: 39.02070, -119.56205

Geology at Pine Nut Mountains

This spot sits on Younger tuffaceous sedimentary rocks, mapped as sedimentary and volcanic that formed roughly 23 to 3 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this weathers into rocky slopes and float, and fresh exposures in cuts and drainages are usually the most productive places to look.

Mapped unit: Younger tuffaceous sedimentary rocks
Age: 23–3 Ma (Miocene to Pliocene)
Rock types: sedimentary and volcanic
Elevation: 6,340 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.

Best time to visit Pine Nut Mountains

Best months: February to November. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 41°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 13°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MINDEN station (12 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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.

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.

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 Pine Nut Mountains

Each chip 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 Pine Nut Mountains.

Across the state line from Pine Nut Mountains

Pine Nut Mountains 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.

Shady Run GravelsPlacer County, California · 65 mi awayGarnet, Serpentine

Pine Nut Mountains FAQ

Where is Pine Nut Mountains?+

Pine Nut Mountains is in Douglas County, Nevada, at 39.02070, -119.56205.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Pine Nut Mountains?+

Pine Nut Mountains is reported to produce Thulite, Topaz.

Is collecting allowed at Pine Nut Mountains?+

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 Pine Nut Mountains?+

A rock hammer, a pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses suit pegmatite ground. Work weathered zones and check dump piles; coarse crystals often sit in decomposed rock.

When is the best time to visit Pine Nut Mountains?+

The most comfortable months at Pine Nut Mountains are February to November.

How do I get to Pine Nut Mountains?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.02070, -119.56205 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Nevada

See all 119 Nevada spots →

Open Pine Nut Mountains on the map

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