Bonanza Opal Mine: Opal Rockhounding in Humboldt County, Nevada

Updated June 2026

Bonanza Opal Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Humboldt County, Nevada. Reported finds include opal. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Paid / fee dig
County: Humboldt County
State: Nevada
Nearest road: Virgin Valley Road
Coordinates: 41.78000, -119.10000

Geology at Bonanza Opal Mine

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 is where agate, jasper, and other chalcedony typically form, filling old gas pockets and fracture seams in the flow rock.

Mapped unit: Younger tuffaceous sedimentary rocks
Age: 23–3 Ma (Miocene to Pliocene)
Rock types: sedimentary and volcanic
Elevation: 5,290 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 Bonanza Opal Mine

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 36°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LEONARD CREEK RCH - DENIO 33S station (27 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Pay-to-dig site

This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out.

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 Bonanza Opal Mine

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

Opal Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Bonanza Opal Mine.

Across the state line from Bonanza Opal Mine

Bonanza Opal Mine 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.

Bonanza Opal Mine FAQ

Where is Bonanza Opal Mine?+

Bonanza Opal Mine is in Humboldt County, Nevada, at 41.78000, -119.10000. Nearest road: Virgin Valley Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Bonanza Opal Mine?+

Bonanza Opal Mine is reported to produce Opal.

Is collecting allowed at Bonanza Opal Mine?+

Pay-to-dig site. This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Bonanza Opal Mine?+

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 Bonanza Opal Mine?+

The most comfortable months at Bonanza Opal Mine are March to November.

How do I get to Bonanza Opal Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.78000, -119.10000 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Virgin Valley Road.

More rockhounding in Nevada

See all 119 Nevada spots →

Open Bonanza Opal Mine on the map

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