Nellie Spring: Opalite Rockhounding in Washoe County, Nevada

Updated June 2026

Nellie Spring is a mapped rockhounding spot in Washoe County, Nevada. Reported finds include opalite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Washoe County
State: Nevada
Coordinates: 41.39281, -119.52192

Geology at Nellie Spring

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: 5,840 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 Nellie Spring

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 37°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 24°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, DENIO 52 WSW station (32 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 Nellie Spring

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Opalite

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Nellie Spring.

Across the state line from Nellie Spring

Nellie Spring 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.

Nellie Spring FAQ

Where is Nellie Spring?+

Nellie Spring is in Washoe County, Nevada, at 41.39281, -119.52192.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Nellie Spring?+

Nellie Spring is reported to produce Opalite.

Is collecting allowed at Nellie Spring?+

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 Nellie Spring?+

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 Nellie Spring?+

The most comfortable months at Nellie Spring are March to October.

How do I get to Nellie Spring?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.39281, -119.52192 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Nevada

See all 119 Nevada spots →

Open Nellie Spring on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.