Churchill Butte: Tungsten Rockhounding in Lyon County, Nevada

Updated June 2026

Churchill Butte is a mapped rockhounding spot in Lyon County, Nevada. Reported finds include tungsten. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Lyon County
State: Nevada
Nearest road: Micro Road
Postcode: 89429
Coordinates: 39.32832, -119.28523

Geology at Churchill Butte

This spot sits on Felsic phaneritic intrusive rocks, mapped as granitic, granodiorite, and quartz monzonite that formed roughly 200 to 5 million years ago. Plutonic rock like this weathers slowly into grus and boulders, and the most productive collecting is typically in weathered zones and drainages.

Mapped unit: Felsic phaneritic intrusive rocks
Age: 200–5 Ma (Jurassic to Miocene)
Rock types: granitic, granodiorite, and quartz monzonite
Elevation: 5,180 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 Churchill Butte

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 93°F in midsummer and 43°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 21°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LAHONTAN DAM station (15 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 Churchill Butte

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

Tungsten

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Churchill Butte.

Across the state line from Churchill Butte

Churchill Butte 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.

Shady Run GravelsPlacer County, California · 78 mi awayGarnet, Serpentine

Churchill Butte FAQ

Where is Churchill Butte?+

Churchill Butte is in Lyon County, Nevada, at 39.32832, -119.28523. Nearest road: Micro Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Churchill Butte?+

Churchill Butte is reported to produce Tungsten.

Is collecting allowed at Churchill Butte?+

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 Churchill Butte?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Churchill Butte?+

The most comfortable months at Churchill Butte are February to June.

How do I get to Churchill Butte?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.32832, -119.28523 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Micro Road.

More rockhounding in Nevada

See all 119 Nevada spots →

Open Churchill Butte on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.