Broken Hills: Gold Prospecting in Nye County, Nevada

Updated June 2026

Broken Hills is a mapped rockhounding spot in Nye County, Nevada. Reported finds include gold, lead, silver. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Nye County
State: Nevada
Nearest road: Quartz Mountain Road
Coordinates: 39.04532, -117.97577

Geology at Broken Hills

This spot sits on Intermediate silicic ash flow tuff, mapped as felsic volcanic that formed roughly 34 to 16 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: Intermediate silicic ash flow tuff
Age: 34–16 Ma (Oligocene to Early Miocene)
Rock types: felsic volcanic
Elevation: 5,300 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 Broken Hills

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 93°F in midsummer and 44°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GABBS 1NE station (12 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 Broken 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 Broken Hills.

Broken Hills FAQ

Where is Broken Hills?+

Broken Hills is in Nye County, Nevada, at 39.04532, -117.97577. Nearest road: Quartz Mountain Road.

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

Broken Hills is reported to produce Gold, Lead, Silver.

Is collecting allowed at Broken 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 Broken Hills?+

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 Broken Hills?+

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

How do I get to Broken Hills?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.04532, -117.97577 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Quartz Mountain Road.

More rockhounding in Nevada

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Open Broken Hills on the map

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