Rainbow Ridge - Opal

Rainbow Ridge

Opal Mine

Owned and operated by the Hodson family since 1949. Celebrating 5 generations

Nevada Opals

Nevada Opals History

Opals from Virgin Valley are primarily specimen only. They are casts after wood and can appear as limbs twigs or even pinecones. The colors of opal from Virgin Valley can vary widely; from colorless to black. The colors in Virgin Valley opals are world class. To learn more about the type of opal and how its formed, please check out the History page.

2023 SEASON

Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine will open for the 2023 season on Friday, May 26th. The mine is open daily from 8AM until 4PM. We are closed each Wednesday and Thursday. The rock shop is open until 5 PM.   The final day for digging will be on Sunday, September 17th, 2023.   

Note: They will turn you away if you get there too late. Be there before 9AM.


Rainbow Ridge does not offer half day rates for digging fees.

Forms of Payment: We accept cash, checks, MasterCard & Visa.  Credit card surcharges will apply.


TAILINGS DIGGING

Tailings fee is $100.00 per person per day.
When accompanied by an adult, children 10-15 years old are half price. Children under 10 are no charge.

We recommend being at the mine at 8 AM! The cut off for tailings digging is at 9 AM! No exceptions and no half day rates.



CHANGES THIS SEASON

  • Virgin ground load prices are now $900
  • We will offer half loads on a limited basis for $600
  • Steel table rental fee $50 a day (loads only)

We get it, prices on everything have skyrocketed, and our operating costs have too. Unfortunately our load price had to go up this season. In an effort to ease the cost increase, we will now allow an additional adult on your load. This means you can have up to 3 adults working on the load for $900.


Tools needed are a clod tool and a small rake, available to borrow from the rock shop.

You will need a container or baggie for dry material, and a small bucket with water for wet opals.

A reservation is not required to dig in tailings.

Pay Dig

Fuel up Before heading to site

Pack a good Lunch/Water

Very Remote Area

Reservations May be needed

Contact Information

Rainbow Ridge Opal Mine
PO Box 97 Denio, NV 89404
40190 Sagebrush Creek Road, Virgin Valley

Mining : Friday, May 26th - Sunday, September 17th
Digging Open: 8AM until 4PM
Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays

Rock shop: 8AM until 5PM.



Virgin Valley Campground



Virgin Valley Campground is a free, rustic campground that makes a great base for exploring the Sheldon Wildlife Refuge. Light on the amenities, the campground offers 12 sites - each with a picnic table and fire pit - on a strictly first-come, first-served basis. 

Situated near the northeastern end of the wildlife refuge and 2.7 miles from Highway 140 down a maintained gravel road, those traveling to the campground will pass Dufurrena Ponds, a series of manmade ponds created to help irrigate the area but which now serve as home or stopover points to a variety of birds and waterfowl, along with pronghorn antelope and stocked fish.


 

Free Campground
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