Where to find opal in the U.S.

U.S. precious opal is scarce and often claim-locked. Prefer fee digs like Idaho Spencer and Nevada Rainbow Ridge over random desert digging.

Public gem mining checklist Turquoise & opal hub Sites near me

101 directory listings mentioning opal.

Fee dig first

Managed opal mines sell day tickets or buckets with clear keep rules — the most reliable path for beginners who want cutting material. Random desert digging on claimed ground is how trips get ruined.

Flagship districts

Idaho Spencer Opal Mine and Nevada Rainbow Ridge fee digs are the names collectors search most. Confirm seasonal hours — high desert operations close in harsh weather — and read keep rules for gem-quality pieces.

What to bring

Water, sun protection, eye protection, and gloves. Many mines rent tools. Compare digs on the national dig-sites map and opal near me GPS before you load the truck.

Opal rockhounding map

Pin map of directory listings that mention opal.

100 sites with coordinates

Opal rockhounding sites

GPS-backed directory listings — open each card for access notes and coordinates.

Afton Canyon — opal rockhounding site near California, CA

OpalCA

Afton Canyon

Afton Canyon is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Opalite, Jasper. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesCalifornia

El Paso Mountains — agate rockhounding site near California, CA

AgateCA

El Paso Mountains

El Paso Mountains is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Agate, Opal, Jasper, Gold, Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesCalifornia

Lead Pipe Spring Area — agate rockhounding site near California, CA

AgateCA

Lead Pipe Spring Area

Lead Pipe Spring Area is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Blue Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Opal, Thundereggs. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesCalifornia

Chattahoochee River — chalcedony rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

ChalcedonyGA

Chattahoochee River

Chattahoochee River is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Chalcedony, Chert, Flint, Jasper, Opal, Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Summerville — agate rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

AgateGA

Summerville

Summerville is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Warm Springs — agate rockhounding site near Georgia, GA

AgateGA

Warm Springs

Warm Springs is a documented mineral occurrence near GA. Reported specimens include Agate, Chert, Jasper, Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesGeorgia

Agatha — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Agatha

Agatha is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Opal, Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Camas Creek — topaz rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

TopazID

Camas Creek

Camas Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Topaz, Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Challis — agate rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

AgateID

Challis

Challis is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Red Agate, Banded Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Clover Creek — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Clover Creek

Clover Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Emmett — agate rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

AgateID

Emmett

Emmett is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Blue Agate, Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Little Squaw Creek — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Little Squaw Creek

Little Squaw Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Mesa — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Mesa

Mesa is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Moscow — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Moscow

Moscow is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Panther Creek — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Panther Creek

Panther Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Poison Creek — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Poison Creek

Poison Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Common Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Setters — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Setters

Setters is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Snake River — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Snake River

Snake River is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Spencer Opal Mine — opal rockhounding site near Spencer, ID

OpalID

Spencer Opal Mine

A family-operated opal mine in eastern Idaho offering fee digs in opal-bearing rhyolite tuff with visible opal seams.

Fee requiredSpencer

Spencer Opal Mine (paid Location) — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Spencer Opal Mine (paid Location)

Spencer Opal Mine (paid location) is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Yellow Pine — opal rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

OpalID

Yellow Pine

Yellow Pine is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Ashland — agate rockhounding site near Kansas, KS

AgateKS

Ashland

Ashland is a documented mineral occurrence near KS. Reported specimens include Moss Agate, Opal, Jasper. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesKansas

Wallace — opal rockhounding site near Kansas, KS

OpalKS

Wallace

Wallace is a documented mineral occurrence near KS. Reported specimens include Moss Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesKansas

Aben Opal Sands — opal rockhounding site near Leesville, LA

OpalLA

Aben Opal Sands

Western Louisiana gravel beds near Vernon Parish occasionally yield opalized wood and agate in Catahoula Formation sands.

Fee variesLeesville

Leesville (opal Area) — opal rockhounding site near Louisiana, LA

OpalLA

Leesville (opal Area)

Leesville (opal area) is a documented mineral occurrence near LA. Reported specimens include Louisiana Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesLouisiana

Beltsville — opal rockhounding site near Maryland, MD

OpalMD

Beltsville

Beltsville is a documented mineral occurrence near MD. Reported specimens include Hyalite Opal, Quartz crystals, Silicified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMaryland

Hunting Hill — calcite rockhounding site near Maryland, MD

CalciteMD

Hunting Hill

Hunting Hill is a documented mineral occurrence near MD. Reported specimens include Calcite, Diopside, Garnet, Opal, Serpentine. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMaryland

Decaturville Crater — albite rockhounding site near Missouri, MO

AlbiteMO

Decaturville Crater

Decaturville Crater is a documented mineral occurrence near MO. Reported specimens include Albite, Galena, Glauconite, Limonite, Marcasite, Microcline, Muscovite, Opal, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Tourmaline. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMissouri

Kansas City — aragonite rockhounding site near Missouri, MO

AragoniteMO

Kansas City

Kansas City is a documented mineral occurrence near MO. Reported specimens include Aragonite, Barite, Calcite, Dolomite, Marcasite, Common Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMissouri

Glendive — agate rockhounding site near Montana, MT

AgateMT

Glendive

Glendive is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Agate, Jasper, Moss Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Mount Blackmore — agate rockhounding site near Montana, MT

AgateMT

Mount Blackmore

Mount Blackmore is a documented mineral occurrence near MT. Reported specimens include Agate, Chalcedony, Hyalite Opal, Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMontana

Cape Fear River And Tributaries — agate rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

AgateNC

Cape Fear River And Tributaries

Cape Fear River and tributaries is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Jasper, Common Opal, Agatized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Concord — agate rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

AgateNC

Concord

Concord is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Agate, Carnelian, Chalcedony, Common Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Cumberland County — agate rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

AgateNC

Cumberland County

Cumberland County is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Jasper, Common Opal, Agatized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Danbury — agate rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

AgateNC

Danbury

Danbury is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Agate, Carnelian, Chalcedony, Jasper, Hyalite Opal, Hematite, Amethyst. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Deer Park Mine — autunite rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

AutuniteNC

Deer Park Mine

Deer Park Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Autunite, Feldspar crystals, Garnet, Hyalite Opal, Mica, Monazite, Thulite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Elf — corundum rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

CorundumNC

Elf

Elf is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Corundum, Amphibolite, Opal, Quartz crystals, Smaragdite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Elijah Mountain Gem Mine — ruby rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

RubyNC

Elijah Mountain Gem Mine

Elijah Mountain Gem Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Quartz crystals, Citrine, Amethyst, Garnet, Aventurine, Sodalite, Peridot, Opal, Fluorite, Aquamarine, Topaz, Tourmaline, Pyrite, Amazonite, Labradorite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Higdon Mountain — actinolite rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

ActinoliteNC

Higdon Mountain

Higdon Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Actinolite, Chalcedony, Chromite, Corundum, Enstatite, Magnetite, Opal, Quartz crystals, Ruby, Rutile, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Island Creek — apatite rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

ApatiteNC

Island Creek

Island Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Apatite, Chalcopyrite, Fluorite, Galena, Hyalite Opal, Quartz crystals, Rhodochrosite, Scheelite, Sphalerite, Tetrahedrite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Shooting Creek — geode rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC

GeodeNC

Shooting Creek

Shooting Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Hyalite Opal Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina

Omaha — agate rockhounding site near Nebraska, NE

AgateNE

Omaha

Omaha is a documented mineral occurrence near NE. Reported specimens include Banded Agate, Moss Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Flint, Opal, Agatized wood, Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNebraska

Bergen County — agate rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

AgateNJ

Bergen County

Bergen County is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Chalcedony, Datolite, Natrolite, Common Opal, Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

Bergen Hill By Hudson River — agate rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

AgateNJ

Bergen Hill By Hudson River

Bergen Hill by Hudson River is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Banded Agate, Albite, Amethyst, Analcime, Apatite, Calcite crystals, Datolite, Epidote, Galena, Malachite, Common Opal, Fire Opal, Quartz crystals, Siderite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

General Area (hudson/passaic) — agate rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

AgateNJ

General Area (hudson/passaic)

General Area (Hudson/Passaic) is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Banded Agate, Albite, Amethyst, Analcime, Apatite, Calcite crystals, Datolite, Epidote, Galena, Malachite, Common Opal, Fire Opal, Quartz crystals, Siderite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

Hoboken — agate rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

AgateNJ

Hoboken

Hoboken is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Agate, Amethyst, Common Opal, Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

Pompton Lakes — agate rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

AgateNJ

Pompton Lakes

Pompton Lakes is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Banded Agate, Amethyst, Barite, Calcite, Chalcedony, Cuprite, Datolite, Dolomite, Galena, Goethite, Hematite, Opal, Prehnite, Quartz, Silver. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

Prospect Park Quarry — agate rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

AgateNJ

Prospect Park Quarry

Prospect Park Quarry is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Banded Agate, Amethyst, Barite, Calcite, Chalcedony, Cuprite, Datolite, Dolomite, Galena, Goethite, Hematite, Opal, Prehnite, Quartz, Silver. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

Snake Hill — agate rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

AgateNJ

Snake Hill

Snake Hill is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Banded Agate, Albite, Amethyst, Analcime, Apatite, Calcite crystals, Datolite, Epidote, Galena, Malachite, Common Opal, Fire Opal, Quartz crystals, Siderite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

The Palisades — agate rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

AgateNJ

The Palisades

The Palisades is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Banded Agate, Albite, Amethyst, Analcime, Apatite, Calcite crystals, Datolite, Epidote, Galena, Malachite, Common Opal, Fire Opal, Quartz crystals, Siderite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

Union County — agate rockhounding site near New Jersey, NJ

AgateNJ

Union County

Union County is a documented mineral occurrence near NJ. Reported specimens include Agate, Apophyllite, Albite, Bornite, Chalcedony, Datolite, Galena, Hematite, Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Jersey

Big Hatchet Mountains — agate rockhounding site near New Mexico, NM

AgateNM

Big Hatchet Mountains

Big Hatchet Mountains is a documented mineral occurrence near NM. Reported specimens include Agate, Moss Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Mexico

Fort Bayard — opal rockhounding site near New Mexico, NM

OpalNM

Fort Bayard

Fort Bayard is a documented mineral occurrence near NM. Reported specimens include Common Opal, Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Mexico

Isleta Pueblo — opal rockhounding site near New Mexico, NM

OpalNM

Isleta Pueblo

Isleta Pueblo is a documented mineral occurrence near NM. Reported specimens include Opal, Opalized wood, Agatized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Mexico

Black Rock Desert — opal rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

OpalNV

Black Rock Desert

Black Rock Desert is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Opalized wood, Petrified wood, Agate, Fire Opal, Geodes, Gypsum, Obsidian, Tourmaline, Malachite, Epidote, Barite, Azurite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Bonanza Opal Mine (virgin Valley) — opal rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

OpalNV

Bonanza Opal Mine (virgin Valley)

Bonanza Opal Mine (Virgin Valley) is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Opal (various colors). Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Bonanza Opal Mines — mixed minerals rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

Mixed mineralsNV

Bonanza Opal Mines

Bonanza Opal Mines is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Mixed minerals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Coaldale — agate rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

AgateNV

Coaldale

Coaldale is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Agate, Chert, Hyalite Opal, Jasper, Turquoise. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Greenfire Opal Mine — opal rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

OpalNV

Greenfire Opal Mine

Greenfire Opal Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Gem Opal, Black Opal, Fire Opal, Common Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Lander County — chalcedony rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

ChalcedonyNV

Lander County

Lander County is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Chalcedony, Jasper, Opal, Opalite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Nellie Spring — opal rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

OpalNV

Nellie Spring

Nellie Spring is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Opalite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine — opal rockhounding site near Denio, NV

OpalNV

Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine

One of Virgin Valley's premier fee-dig opal mines where visitors search virgin tailings for black and crystal opal specimens.

Fee requiredDenio

Rainbow Ridge Opal Mines — quartz rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

QuartzNV

Rainbow Ridge Opal Mines

Rainbow Ridge Opal Mines is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Varied local minerals and crystals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Royal Peacock Opal Mine — opal rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

OpalNV

Royal Peacock Opal Mine

Royal Peacock Opal Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Black Opal, Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Virgin Valley — agate rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

AgateNV

Virgin Valley

Virgin Valley is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Flint, Jasper, Opal, Silicified lignite, Opalized wood, Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal (polished) — mixed rockhounding site near NV, NV

MixedNV

Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal (polished)

Virgin Valley Black Fire Opal (polished) is a documented rockhounding destination in NV. Collectors visit for mixed minerals and rocks and related material. Access rules and land ownership vary — confirm current status with the managing agency or landowner before collecting.

Fee variesNevada

Virgin Valley Opal District — opal rockhounding site near Denio, NV

OpalNV

Virgin Valley Opal District

Black fire opal in pastel host rhyolite made Virgin Valley world-famous; several private mines offer fee digging for opalized wood and precious opal.

Fee requiredDenio

Vya — opal rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

OpalNV

Vya

Vya is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Common Opal, obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Chenowith Creek — opal rockhounding site near Oregon, OR

OpalOR

Chenowith Creek

Chenowith Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near OR. Reported specimens include Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesOregon

Opal Butte — opal rockhounding site near Oregon, OR

OpalOR

Opal Butte

Opal Butte is a documented mineral occurrence near OR. Reported specimens include Hyalite opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesOregon

Opal Creek — mercury rockhounding site near Oregon, OR

mercuryOR

Opal Creek

Opal Creek — mercury occurrence in Jefferson, documented by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI MILO-3).

Fee variesOregon

Priday Agate Beds (paid Location) — agate rockhounding site near Oregon, OR

AgateOR

Priday Agate Beds (paid Location)

Priday Agate Beds (paid location) is a documented mineral occurrence near OR. Reported specimens include Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Opal, Thundereggs. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesOregon

Sylvies Canyon — opal rockhounding site near Oregon, OR

OpalOR

Sylvies Canyon

Sylvies Canyon is a documented mineral occurrence near OR. Reported specimens include Wood opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesOregon

West Side Warner Peak — agate rockhounding site near Oregon, OR

AgateOR

West Side Warner Peak

West Side Warner Peak is a documented mineral occurrence near OR. Reported specimens include Agate, Chalcedony, Geodes, Jasper, Opal, Thundereggs. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesOregon

White Rock — thundereggs rockhounding site near Oregon, OR

ThundereggsOR

White Rock

White Rock is a documented mineral occurrence near OR. Reported specimens include Thundereggs, Agate, Chalcedony, Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesOregon

Wolf Creek Pass Thundereggs — thunderegg rockhounding site near Roseburg, OR

ThundereggOR

Wolf Creek Pass Thundereggs

Road cuts and creek gravels along the Umpqua River drainage near Wolf Creek expose thunderegg-bearing rhyolite flows.

Fee variesRoseburg

Harrisburg — agate rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

AgatePA

Harrisburg

Harrisburg is a documented mineral occurrence near PA. Reported specimens include Agate, Amethyst, Chalcedony, Andradite Garnet, Opal, Quartz crystals, Silicified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Little Eagle — petrified wood rockhounding site near South Dakota, SD

Petrified woodSD

Little Eagle

Little Eagle is a documented mineral occurrence near SD. Reported specimens include Petrified wood, Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesSouth Dakota

Mission — opal rockhounding site near South Dakota, SD

OpalSD

Mission

Mission is a documented mineral occurrence near SD. Reported specimens include Opalized wood, Agatized wood, Fossils. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesSouth Dakota

Mobridge — opal rockhounding site near South Dakota, SD

OpalSD

Mobridge

Mobridge is a documented mineral occurrence near SD. Reported specimens include Opalized wood, Agatized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesSouth Dakota

Mound City — petrified wood rockhounding site near South Dakota, SD

Petrified woodSD

Mound City

Mound City is a documented mineral occurrence near SD. Reported specimens include Petrified wood, Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesSouth Dakota

Babyhead To Miller Mt — llanite rockhounding site near Texas, TX

LlaniteTX

Babyhead To Miller Mt

Babyhead to Miller Mt is a documented mineral occurrence near TX. Reported specimens include Llanite, Opal-quartz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesTexas

Agate — agate rockhounding site near Utah, UT

AgateUT

Agate

Agate is a documented mineral occurrence near UT. Reported specimens include Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Jasper, Opal, Opalized wood, Quartz crystals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesUtah

Fish Lake — opal rockhounding site near Utah, UT

OpalUT

Fish Lake

Fish Lake is a documented mineral occurrence near UT. Reported specimens include Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesUtah

Frisco — azurite rockhounding site near Utah, UT

AzuriteUT

Frisco

Frisco is a documented mineral occurrence near UT. Reported specimens include Azurite, Barite, Calamine, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla, Galena, Gypsum, Kaolinite, Malachite, Opal, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Wulfenite, Zircon. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesUtah

Lincoln Gulch — amethyst rockhounding site near Utah, UT

AmethystUT

Lincoln Gulch

Lincoln Gulch is a documented mineral occurrence near UT. Reported specimens include Amethyst, Azurite, Calcite, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Epidote, Fluorite, Galena, Garnet, Malachite, Opal, Pyrite, Quartz, Tourmaline, Tremolite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesUtah

Marysville — cinnabar rockhounding site near Utah, UT

CinnabarUT

Marysville

Marysville is a documented mineral occurrence near UT. Reported specimens include Cinnabar, Alunite, Albite, Biotite, Calcite, Chlorite, Pyrolusite, Barite, Fluorite, Goethite, Amethyst, Quartz, Selenite, Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesUtah

Thomas Range — agate rockhounding site near Utah, UT

AgateUT

Thomas Range

Thomas Range is a documented mineral occurrence near UT. Reported specimens include Agate, Beryl, Chalcedony, Fluorite, Garnet, Opal, Quartz, Topaz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesUtah

Grand Coulee — opal rockhounding site near Washington, WA

OpalWA

Grand Coulee

Grand Coulee is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWashington

Hansen Creek Opal Mine — mixed minerals rockhounding site near Washington, WA

Mixed mineralsWA

Hansen Creek Opal Mine

Hansen Creek Opal Mine is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Mixed minerals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWashington

Horse Heaven Hills — opal rockhounding site near Washington, WA

OpalWA

Horse Heaven Hills

Horse Heaven Hills is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWashington

Mattawa — opal rockhounding site near Washington, WA

OpalWA

Mattawa

Mattawa is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWashington

Mondovi — opal rockhounding site near Washington, WA

OpalWA

Mondovi

Mondovi is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Opal, Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWashington

Moses Coulee — opal rockhounding site near Washington, WA

OpalWA

Moses Coulee

Moses Coulee is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWashington

Petrified Forest State Park — opal rockhounding site near Washington, WA

OpalWA

Petrified Forest State Park

Petrified Forest State Park is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Opalized wood, Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWashington

Pullman — opal rockhounding site near Washington, WA

OpalWA

Pullman

Pullman is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Fire Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWashington

Waterville — opal rockhounding site near Washington, WA

OpalWA

Waterville

Waterville is a documented mineral occurrence near WA. Reported specimens include Common Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWashington

Coopers Rock — hematite rockhounding site near West Virginia, WV

HematiteWV

Coopers Rock

Coopers Rock is a documented mineral occurrence near WV. Reported specimens include Hematite, Opal. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWest Virginia

Crazy Woman Creek — opal rockhounding site near Wyoming, WY

OpalWY

Crazy Woman Creek

Crazy Woman Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near WY. Reported specimens include Opalized wood, Silicified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWyoming

Saratoga — opal rockhounding site near Wyoming, WY

OpalWY

Saratoga

Saratoga is a documented mineral occurrence near WY. Reported specimens include Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWyoming

Shirley Basin — opal rockhounding site near Wyoming, WY

OpalWY

Shirley Basin

Shirley Basin is a documented mineral occurrence near WY. Reported specimens include Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesWyoming

FAQ

Where to find opal in the United States?

Idaho Spencer Opal Mine and Nevada Rainbow Ridge fee digs are flagship options. Open the map below and prefer managed digs over unmarked claims.

Can I dig opal on public land for free?

Free public precious-opal ground is uncommon and often claimed. Fee digs are the practical recreational path.

What tools do opal digs require?

Many mines provide or rent tools. Bring safety glasses, gloves, and water — see our gemstone mining equipment guide.

Related: pay-to-dig sites, agates in the USA, geodes near me.