Wonderstone Mountain
Approximate — check official site before visiting
BLM-managed free rockhounding area east of Fallon near Grimes Point. Known for colorful banded wonderstone — a volcanic rhyolite with striking red, orange, white, and brown bands. Also produces agate and jasper. Free public collecting on BLM land. Access via dirt road off US-50 at the Grimes Point/Hidden Cave turnoff. AWD/4WD recommended. No amenities — bring water and tools.
🪨 What You Can Find Here
Wonderstone (Banded Rhyolite)
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Agates
Banded chalcedony prized for their colors and patterns. Lake Superior agates, Fairburn agates, and Montana moss agates are especially famous.
Also found at:
Jasper
Opaque, fine-grained chalcedony prized for its rich earthy colors and patterns. Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alabama produce exceptional jasper varieties.
Also found at:
📍 Nearby Locations in Nevada
Black Rock Desert
Gerlach, Nevada · BLM Land
Vast BLM-managed semi-arid desert with lava beds and playas, part of the Black Rock-High Rock National Conservation Area in northwest Nevada. Known fo...
Bonanza Opal Mine
Denio, Nevada · Fee Dig
Excellent fire opal hunting destination. Seasonal operation welcoming visitors May through September in optimal weather conditions for the region.
Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine
Virgin Valley, Nevada · Fee Dig
Known for spectacular fire opals worth up to $50,000. Serious digging requires tools and buckets. Season runs May through September.
Royal Peacock Opal Mine
Denio, Nevada · Fee Dig
Well-known Virgin Valley opal mine producing precious fire opals. One of several opal mines in the area open to public digging.
Spider Web Turquoise Claim
Battle Mountain, Nevada · BLM Land
BLM claim area in the Battle Mountain district known for distinctive spider web matrix turquoise with black and mahogany brown fine spiderweb veining....
Gemfield
Goldfield, Nevada · Fee Dig
Pay-to-dig rockhounding site on patented mining claims 4 miles north of Goldfield. Features 6 types of chalcedony plus dendritic agate, bullseye agate...
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Wonderstone Mountain with the right equipment.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35