Royal Peacock Opal Mine
Nevada
black fire opalprecious opalopalized woodfluorescent opal
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal
Royal Peacock Opal Mine
Virgin Valley opal formed when silica replaced buried wood in volcanic ash, which is why the best material here comes out as opalized limbs with black body color and hard fire. Royal Peacock gives you two ways in: rake the tailings for a modest day rate, or pay for bank digging in unsearched clay. Everything you find is yours, no mechanical tools are permitted, and the operation runs its own RV park, tent sites and cabins because the nearest town is a long way off.
The card catalog
| What you can find | black fire opal, precious opal, opalized wood, fluorescent opal |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee, seasonal |
| Fees | Bank digging $210 per person per day; tailings raking $85 per person per day. Discounts for active military, veterans and 65+ with valid ID. Tools on site are very limited — hand picks in the gift shop run $45 small and $100 large — so arrive equipped. |
| Season & hours | 2026 season May 1 through October 18, seven days a week, 8 am to 4 pm, weather permitting. Virgin Valley is remote high desert; the mine is the nearest anything and Denio is a small outpost. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Children 12 and under rake tailings free with a paid adult, which is the right speed for families. Children under 12 are not allowed to dig in the bank. Hard hats are required, no open-toed shoes anywhere, and bank diggers must wear safety glasses or goggles. |
| Official source | Royal Peacock Opal Mines (operator) |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
More drawers in Nevada
-
NV
precious opal, fire opal, opalized wood
-
NV
almandine garnet, rhyolite
-
Otteson Brothers Turquoise Mining Tours
NV
turquoise, royston turquoise, variscite
-
NV
black fire opal, precious opal, opalized wood
Before you go
What does Royal Peacock Opal Mine cost?
Bank digging $210 per person per day; tailings raking $85 per person per day. Discounts for active military, veterans and 65+ with valid ID. Tools on site are very limited — hand picks in the gift shop run $45 small and $100 large — so arrive equipped. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Royal Peacock Opal Mine open?
2026 season May 1 through October 18, seven days a week, 8 am to 4 pm, weather permitting. Virgin Valley is remote high desert; the mine is the nearest anything and Denio is a small outpost. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Royal Peacock Opal Mine good for kids?
Yes — Royal Peacock Opal Mine works for families. Children 12 and under rake tailings free with a paid adult, which is the right speed for families. Children under 12 are not allowed to dig in the bank. Hard hats are required, no open-toed shoes anywhere, and bank diggers must wear safety glasses or goggles.