Best spot

Coaldale: Agate & Chert Rockhounding in Esmeralda County, Nevada

Updated June 2026

Coaldale is a useful Esmeralda County silica locality because the candidate data points to agate, chert, hyalite opal, jasper, and turquoise in a compact desert area. Mindat and NBMG district records help anchor the site in a named mining district, making it a better researched pick than a vague countywide agate listing. Reported finds include agate, chert, hyalite opal, jasper, turquoise. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Coaldale photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

2 photos

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Esmeralda County
State: Nevada
Nearest road: Veterans Memorial Highway
Coordinates: 38.02994, -117.87936

Geology at Coaldale

This spot sits on Alluvium, undifferentiated, mapped as coarse alluvium and fine alluvium that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Gravels like these concentrate whatever survives the river: agate, jasper, and other tough silica typically show up as rounded, waxy stones.

Mapped unit: Alluvium, undifferentiated
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: coarse alluvium and fine alluvium
Elevation: 4,690 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 Coaldale

Best months: January to June. Typical highs run 95°F in midsummer and 45°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 17°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SILVERPEAK station (25 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 Coaldale

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 Coaldale.

Coaldale FAQ

Where is Coaldale?+

Coaldale is in Esmeralda County, Nevada, at 38.02994, -117.87936. Nearest road: Veterans Memorial Highway.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Coaldale?+

Coaldale is reported to produce Agate, Chert, Hyalite Opal, Jasper, Turquoise.

Is collecting allowed at Coaldale?+

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 Coaldale?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Coaldale?+

The most comfortable months at Coaldale are January to June. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Coaldale?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.02994, -117.87936 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Veterans Memorial Highway.

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