Beatty: Cinnabar & Opalite Rockhounding in Nye County, Nevada

Updated June 2026

Beatty is a mapped rockhounding spot in Nye County, Nevada. Reported finds include cinnabar, opalite, copper, gold, silver, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Nye County
State: Nevada
Nearest road: Broadway
Coordinates: 36.90153, -116.83624

Geology at Beatty

This spot sits on ground mapped as Rainier Mesa Tuff that formed roughly 23 to 5 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: Rainier Mesa Tuff
Age: 23–5 Ma (Miocene)
Elevation: 4,020 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 Beatty

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 98°F in midsummer and 55°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 26°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BEATTY 8 N station (9 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 Beatty

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 Beatty.

Beatty FAQ

Where is Beatty?+

Beatty is in Nye County, Nevada, at 36.90153, -116.83624. Nearest road: Broadway.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Beatty?+

Beatty is reported to produce Cinnabar, Opalite, Copper, Gold, Silver, Lead, Mercury, Platinum.

Is collecting allowed at Beatty?+

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 Beatty?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Beatty?+

The most comfortable months at Beatty are September to May. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Beatty?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.90153, -116.83624 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Broadway.

More rockhounding in Nevada

See all 119 Nevada spots →

Open Beatty on the map

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