Nevada · site land status

Garnet Hill near Ely: land status

Updated October 16, 2026. Source: BLM Garnet Hill page.

View from Garnet Hill across pinyon-juniper slopes and a valley near Ely, Nevada — The view from Garnet Hill, BLM's designated rockhound area west of Ely. Photo: Samantha Szesciorka, BLM Nevada, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Garnet Hill is the rare spot where BLM says “come rockhound here.” BLM calls it the only designated rock hounding area in the Ely District.

Land status

BLM public land, Ely District. Casual collecting rules apply: reasonable amounts for personal use, hand tools, no sale (43 CFR 8365.1-5). No fee.

What BLM says about the site

Dark red garnets occur in rhyolite, as crystals in small cavities, and also weather out and collect on the surface and in drainages. BLM suggests careful rock breaking with a rock hammer or searching the surface. Most aren't of perfect gem quality.
Facilities: four picnic sites with grills, an accessible restroom, a group area and informal spots for tents or small campers. No water. Elevation about 7,000 feet. Large trailers and RVs aren't recommended.
Access per BLM: west of Ely on US 50, just past the Ruth turnoff, then about 3.1 miles on a graded, winding and somewhat steep road.
BLM Ely District: 775-289-1800.

What to check anyway

Claims around the edges of the area: MLRS.
The open-pit copper mines near Ruth are mine property. Stay on BLM ground.
Fire restrictions and road conditions with the Ely District.
Picnic sites are a developed site. Do your digging away from the facilities, and backfill.

Sources: BLM, Garnet Hill; BLM Nevada rockhounding; 43 CFR 8365.1-5.

What you might find here

A hand holding a pale rhyolite rock with a dark red garnet crystal at Garnet Hill — A garnet still in its rhyolite at Garnet Hill. Most of them look like this. Photo: Samantha Szesciorka, BLM Nevada, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A dark red garnet crystal in a cavity in pinkish Garnet Hill rhyolite — Dark garnet in Garnet Hill rhyolite, about 5 cm across. Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dark red almandine garnet crystal in a pocket of pale rhyolite from Garnet Hill, Nevada — Almandine garnet from Garnet Hill, Ely, in a rhyolite pocket. Photo: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Informational only — not legal advice. Rules, boundaries and seasons change. Confirm with the managing agency for the exact parcel before you collect. Last verified October 16, 2026.

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