Sparks: Agate & Garnet Rockhounding in Washoe County, Nevada

Updated June 2026

Sparks is a mapped rockhounding spot in Washoe County, Nevada. Reported finds include agate, garnet, idocrase, obsidian. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Washoe County
State: Nevada
Coordinates: 39.54832, -119.67065

Geology at Sparks

This spot sits on Andesite and basalt flows, mapped as andesite and basalt that formed roughly 34 to 5 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: Andesite and basalt flows
Age: 34–5 Ma (Oligocene to Miocene)
Rock types: andesite and basalt
Elevation: 5,560 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 Sparks

Best months: February to November. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 44°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SPARKS station (3 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 Sparks

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 Sparks.

Across the state line from Sparks

Sparks 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.

Shady Run GravelsPlacer County, California · 62 mi awayGarnet, Serpentine

Sparks FAQ

Where is Sparks?+

Sparks is in Washoe County, Nevada, at 39.54832, -119.67065.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Sparks?+

Sparks is reported to produce Agate, Garnet, Idocrase, Obsidian.

Is collecting allowed at Sparks?+

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 Sparks?+

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 Sparks?+

The most comfortable months at Sparks are February to November.

How do I get to Sparks?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.54832, -119.67065 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Nevada

See all 119 Nevada spots →

Open Sparks on the map

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