Fernley Hills: Agate & Chert Rockhounding in Lyon County, Nevada

Public accessBest spot3 mineralsLyon County, NevadaUpdated October 2026

Minerals reported: 3
Elevation: 5,170 ft
Best months: February to June

Fernley Hills is a practical western Nevada silica stop, with Mindat records documenting agate, chalcedony, opal, quartz, and zeolite minerals in the Fernley area. It earns a place because the material is tied to a named locality close to Reno-Sparks access, while still requiring parcel and claim checks before collecting. Reported finds include agate, chert, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Lyon County
State: Nevada
Coordinates: 39.53364, -119.15664

Get directions View on Google Maps

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: Public-access hills near Fernley. Confirm BLM land status and avoid private parcels, trenches, claims, and posted closures.

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 Fernley Hills

43°J

49°F

58°M

64°A

73°M

84°J

93°J

91°A

82°S

68°O

54°N

43°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

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 (7 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Fernley Hills

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: 5,170 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 Fernley Hills

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 Fernley Hills.

FernleyLyon County, Nevada · 4 mi awayAgate
Lahontan ReservoirChurchill County, Nevada · 8 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
Tallapoosa MinesLyon County, Nevada · 9 mi awayCopper, Silver, Gold
Churchill ButteLyon County, Nevada · 16 mi awayTungsten
Desert Queen AreaChurchill County, Nevada · 24 mi awayGold, Hematite
SparksWashoe County, Nevada · 27 mi awayAgate, Garnet, Idocrase
Castle Peak MineStorey County, Nevada · 28 mi awayMercury
Virginia CityStorey County, Nevada · 30 mi awayCopper, Gold, Lead

Across the state line from Fernley Hills

Fernley Hills 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.

Hallelujah JunctionLassen County, California · 50 mi awayQuartz

Fernley Hills FAQ

Where is Fernley Hills?+

Fernley Hills is in Lyon County, Nevada, at 39.53364, -119.15664.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Fernley Hills?+

Fernley Hills is reported to produce Agate, Chert, Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Fernley Hills?+

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 Fernley Hills?+

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 Fernley Hills?+

The most comfortable months at Fernley Hills are February to June.

How do I get to Fernley Hills?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.53364, -119.15664 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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