The black opal is one of Nevada’s most iconic gems. Found in abundance in the Silver State, you’ll find it most concentrated in the Virgin Valley. The valley—tucked away in the northwest corner of the state—is famous for its precious opal beds and remote scenery. If you’ve ever dreamed of digging for your own treasure, then a visit here is a must! There are several opal mines to choose from in the region, but you can’t go wrong with Bonanza Opal Mine. Gather the family and spend the day of free opal mining in Nevada. This is an adventure that everybody can love!
Rockhounds have been flocking to the Virgin Valley to dig up precious black opals since the early 1900s. You can do the same when you pay a visit to Bonanza Opal Mine near Denio, Nevada.
That's right, you can go on a treasure-hunting expedition in real life, and it's fun for the whole family.
Surrounded by wide open spaces and rugged scenery, the opal mine is as remote as can be. However, it's SO worth the journey. Opal digging is a fun activity that anybody, both young and old, can enjoy.
Plus it reveals a unique and interesting aspect of the Nevada landscape. You'll get a whole new perspective on this desert state.
Advertisement
Take a day to explore the wide-open landscape of the Virgin Valley. The mine is open to anyone and everyone—no experience necessary. You'll be shown exactly what to look for and how to see it, and they even have small rakes available to rent (or you can bring your own.)
Other mines in the valley are comprised of hard clay. However, Bonanza Mine contains dry and rocky soil, making digging both easy and fun. You could easily spend hours upon hours digging for precious treasures before calling it a day.
The thrill is the most exciting part of this adventure. You never know whether the next scoop of soil you turn over will hold something precious.
Black Fire Opals are absolutely stunning, so it's no wonder it's considered our state's official gemstone. In fact, the Virgin Valley is one of the only places in the world you'll find these breathtaking gems. The result of 14 million years of heat and pressure, you'll be glad to go home with a pocketful of these beauties.
In addition to their stunning beauty, these stones tell a story about the creation of the great state of Nevada, and on a larger scale, of the United States. Millions of years of history are preserved in each of these stones.
The mine is typically open to the public from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. There is a fee for adults to dig, but kids under 12 are free to dig with a paid adult.
Now that you know where to go rockhounding in Nevada, your whole outlook on the weekends will change! Mining in Nevada has never been this much fun or this educational.
Bonanza Opal Mine is a humble operation in seemingly the middle of nowhere. However, you'll find that immense amounts of fun await you here, so plan a trip here soon. More information can be found on the mine's website.
Report back! We want to know what fabulous stones you found on your dig.
What do you think? Will you be visiting Bonanza Opal Mine this digging season? If you’ve already been, let us know about your experience in the comments below. We love to hear first-hand accounts from our readers. For more unique attractions, check out our list of 15 Adventures You Can Only Have In Nevada.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Mining In Nevada
CC|February 17, 2023
Where can I go mining and rockhounding in Nevada?
If your visit to Bonanza Opal Mine sparks a newfound love of rockhounding, check out these other awesome sites for it in Nevada.
