Goose Creek: Petrified Wood Rockhounding in Elko County, Nevada

Updated June 2026

Goose Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Elko County, Nevada. Reported finds include petrified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Elko County
State: Nevada
Nearest road: Goose Creek Road
Coordinates: 41.94808, -114.07440

Geology at Goose Creek

This spot sits on Alluvium, undifferentiated, mapped as coarse alluvium and fine alluvium that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: Alluvium, undifferentiated
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: coarse alluvium and fine alluvium
Elevation: 5,050 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 Goose Creek

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 36°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 14°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GROUSE CREEK station (19 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 Goose Creek

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

Petrified Wood Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Goose Creek.

Across the state line from Goose Creek

Goose Creek 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.

Goose Creek FAQ

Where is Goose Creek?+

Goose Creek is in Elko County, Nevada, at 41.94808, -114.07440. Nearest road: Goose Creek Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Goose Creek?+

Goose Creek is reported to produce Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Goose Creek?+

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 Goose Creek?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit Goose Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Goose Creek are March to November.

How do I get to Goose Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.94808, -114.07440 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Goose Creek Road.

More rockhounding in Nevada

See all 119 Nevada spots →

Open Goose Creek on the map

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