Fox Mine: Turquoise Rockhounding in Elko County, Nevada

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Elko County

State

Nevada

Nearest road

Hollister Mine Road

Coordinates

41.14145, -116.61111

Geology at Fox Mine

This spot sits on Intermediate silicic ash flow tuff, mapped as felsic volcanic that formed roughly 34 to 16 million years ago. Copper minerals such as malachite and chrysocolla typically show up where mineralized rock like this has weathered and oxidized near old workings.

Mapped unit

Intermediate silicic ash flow tuff

Age

34–16 Ma (Oligocene to Early Miocene)

Rock types

felsic volcanic

Elevation

5,940 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 Fox Mine

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 21°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TUSCARORA station (23 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 Fox Mine

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

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