Silver City: Gold Prospecting in Lyon County, Nevada
- Minerals reported
- 3
- Elevation
- 5,400 ft
- Best months
- February to November
Silver City is a mapped rockhounding spot in Lyon County, Nevada. Reported finds include gold, iron, platinum. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Lyon County
- State
- Nevada
- Nearest road
- Industrial Parkway
- Postcode
- 89428
- Coordinates
- 39.25349, -119.65919
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: BLM records active mining claims in this area. Collecting from inside an active claim needs the claim holder's permission.
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 Silver City
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: February to November. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 44°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 30°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, VIRGINIA CITY station (4 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Geology at Silver City
This spot sits on Walker Lake Terrane - Pine Nut assemblage - Volcanogenic, carbonate, and clastic rocks, mapped as volcanic, carbonate, and clastic that formed roughly 245 to 160 million years ago. Gold in volcanic terrain like this is usually tied to old vein systems and the gravels that drain them, so nearby washes tend to carry the color.
- Mapped unit
- Walker Lake Terrane - Pine Nut assemblage - Volcanogenic, carbonate, and clastic rocks
- Age
- 245–160 Ma (Middle Triassic to Middle Jurassic)
- Rock types
- volcanic, carbonate, and clastic
- Elevation
- 5,400 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.
Today's weather
Is today a good day to go?
The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Silver City.
Get the appSources & 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:
- 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 Silver City
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 Silver City.
- Virginia CityStorey County, Nevada · 5 mi awayCopper, Gold, Lead
- Castle Peak MineStorey County, Nevada · 11 mi awayMercury
- Pine Nut MountainsDouglas County, Nevada · 17 mi awayThulite, Topaz
- GenoaDouglas County, Nevada · 18 mi awayCopper, Gold, Silver
- SparksWashoe County, Nevada · 20 mi awayAgate, Garnet, Idocrase
- Churchill ButteLyon County, Nevada · 21 mi awayTungsten
- BuckskinDouglas County, Nevada · 24 mi awayCopper, Gold, Palladium
- Tallapoosa MinesLyon County, Nevada · 25 mi awayCopper, Silver, Gold
Across the state line from Silver City
Silver City 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 · 41 mi awayQuartz
- Shady Run GravelsPlacer County, California · 58 mi awayGarnet, Serpentine
- Babcock PeakPlumas County, California · 77 mi awayRose Quartz
- Wolf CreekNevada County, California · 78 mi awayPyrolusite, Rhodonite
Silver City FAQ
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More rockhounding in Nevada
See all 123 Nevada spots →
Open Silver City on the map
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