Best spot

Virgin Valley: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Humboldt County, Nevada

Updated June 2026

Virgin Valley is the United States' classic black-opal district, with USGS and Mindat both placing the opal field near the Oregon line in the Sheldon refuge country. Its strongest geologic feature is opal replacing mid-Miocene wood, including petrified wood and rare plant material, although most precious-opal ground is claimed and any collecting has to respect mining and refuge restrictions. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, chert, flint, jasper, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Virgin Valley photos

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

6 photos

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Humboldt County
State: Nevada
Coordinates: 41.83016, -119.00017

Geology at Virgin Valley

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: 4,950 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 Virgin Valley

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 41°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, DENIO station (22 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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 Virgin Valley

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 Virgin Valley.

Across the state line from Virgin Valley

Virgin Valley 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.

Virgin Valley FAQ

Where is Virgin Valley?+

Virgin Valley is in Humboldt County, Nevada, at 41.83016, -119.00017.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Virgin Valley?+

Virgin Valley is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Flint, Jasper, Opal, Silicified Lignite, Opalized Wood, Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Virgin Valley?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Virgin Valley?+

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 Virgin Valley?+

The most comfortable months at Virgin Valley are February to June.

How do I get to Virgin Valley?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.83016, -119.00017 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Nevada

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