Where to Find Turquoise in Nevada: 7 Mapped Sites
Nevada has 7 documented sites where turquoise have been reported, and the best-known are Crescent Peak, Coaldale, and Walker Lake. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 7 of the 7 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Turquoise Map: Nevada
All 7 turquoise sites in Nevada. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Turquoise Are Found in Nevada
Turquoise forms in the oxidized caps of copper deposits in arid country. Old copper-mine dumps and altered, iron-stained outcrops in desert districts are where it turns up.
The richest reported sites in Nevada: Crescent Peak, Coaldale, Walker Lake, Excelsior Mountain, Copper King Mine.
Of the 7 sites, 7 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Turquoise Sites in Nevada
- Crescent Peak — Public Access
- Coaldale — Public Access
- Walker Lake — Public Access
- Excelsior Mountain — Public Access
- Copper King Mine — Public Access
- Fox Mine & Other Mines — Public Access
- Sugar Loaf Peak — Public Access
How to Identify Turquoise
Turquoise is opaque sky-blue to blue-green with a waxy luster, hardness 5–6, usually webbed with brown or black host-rock veining. It forms crusts and seam fillings rather than crystals. Chrysocolla is the common look-alike but is much softer — it scratches with a fingernail push, while turquoise needs a knife.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find turquoise in Nevada?
Nevada has 7 mapped sites where turquoise have been reported. The best-known are Crescent Peak, Coaldale, and Walker Lake. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many turquoise sites are mapped in Nevada?
We have 7 documented turquoise sites in Nevada, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect turquoise in Nevada?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify turquoise?
Turquoise is opaque sky-blue to blue-green with a waxy luster, hardness 5–6, usually webbed with brown or black host-rock veining. It forms crusts and seam fillings rather than crystals. Chrysocolla is the common look-alike but is much softer — it scratches with a fingernail push, while turquoise needs a knife.
What should I bring to collect turquoise?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Data: community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.