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

Updated June 2026

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.

Fernley Hills photos

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

1 photo

Map showing Fernley Hills in Lyon County, Nevada

Quick details

Access
Public area
State
Nevada

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.

Best time to visit Fernley Hills

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.

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:

Found at Fernley Hills

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 Fernley Hills.

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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