Goldfield: Alum & Pyrite Rockhounding in Esmeralda County, Nevada

Public accessBest spot9 mineralsEsmeralda County, NevadaUpdated October 2026

Minerals reported: 9
Elevation: 5,740 ft
Best months: January to November

Goldfield is one of Nevada's strongest mineralogical districts because Mindat documents a high-sulfidation quartz-alunite gold system with native gold, native silver, pyrite, alunite, tellurides, and several type-locality minerals. Its value for rockhounding research is the intensely altered volcanic-hosted setting, although the historic mine landscape demands careful attention to claims and mine hazards. Reported finds include alum, pyrite, quartz, copper, gold, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Esmeralda County
State: Nevada
Postcode: 89013
Coordinates: 37.70867, -117.22270

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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: Historic district with a public/private/claimed land mosaic. Collect only on open public land and stay out of shafts, adits, dumps with posted restrictions, and claimed ground.

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 Goldfield

45°J

48°F

56°M

63°A

72°M

83°J

90°J

88°A

80°S

67°O

53°N

43°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: January to November. Typical highs run 90°F in midsummer and 45°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GOLDFIELD station (1 mi away).

Geology at Goldfield

This spot sits on Intermediate andesite and intermediate flows and breccias, mapped as andesite, dacite, and quartz latite that formed roughly 34 to 16 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: Intermediate andesite and intermediate flows and breccias
Age: 34–16 Ma (Oligocene to Early Miocene)
Rock types: andesite, dacite, and quartz latite
Elevation: 5,740 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.

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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 Goldfield

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 Goldfield.

GemfieldEsmeralda County, Nevada · 4 mi awayChalcedony
Montezuma PeakEsmeralda County, Nevada · 8 mi awayChalcedony, Chert, Jasper
Alkali Flat Hot SpringEsmeralda County, Nevada · 10 mi awayCalcium, Magnesium Carbonate, Halite
Esmerelda CountyEsmeralda County, Nevada · 21 mi awayGold, Lead, Platinum
Royal Blue MineNye County, Nevada · 25 mi awayTurquoise
TonopahNye County, Nevada · 25 mi awayCopper, Gold, Lead
Tonopah (petrified algae area)Nye County, Nevada · 28 mi awayPetrified Algae, Jade
TokopEsmeralda County, Nevada · 28 mi awayCopper, Gold, Lead

Goldfield FAQ

Where is Goldfield?+

Goldfield is in Esmeralda County, Nevada, at 37.70867, -117.22270.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Goldfield?+

Goldfield is reported to produce Alum, Pyrite, Quartz, Copper, Gold, Lead, Manganese, Silver, Zinc.

Is collecting allowed at Goldfield?+

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 Goldfield?+

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 Goldfield?+

The most comfortable months at Goldfield are January to November.

How do I get to Goldfield?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.70867, -117.22270 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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