Bonanza Opal Mines
Nevada
precious opalfire opalopalized wood
Fee dig · Fee, seasonal
Bonanza Opal Mines
The third of the Virgin Valley fee operations sits at 43255 Sagebrush Creek Road outside Denio and keeps the shortest calendar of the three, running weekends between the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays. Rates are the friendliest in the valley, with a half-day option and free entry for younger children. Like its neighbors, the opal comes from silica-replaced wood in volcanic ash, so expect limb casts and nodules rather than seams.
The card catalog
| What you can find | precious opal, fire opal, opalized wood |
|---|---|
| Access | Fee dig — Fee, seasonal |
| Fees | $75 per person for a full day and $50 for a half day; children 12 and under free with a paid adult. Rock club members with proof and groups of five or more receive a $10 discount. Checks and cash accepted at the mine; credit cards only at the Bonanza store near the campground, which opens 7-8 am and roughly 4:45-5:30 pm on fee dig days. |
| Season & hours | Weekends only, Friday through Sunday, opening Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 23 in 2026) and closing after Labor Day weekend (closed from Tuesday, September 8 until the 2027 season), plus the Mondays of Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. Hours 8 am to 4 pm. Phone (775) 941-0111 in season, (775) 969-3616 year-round. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Free admission for children 12 and under plus a half-day option make this the cheapest way to give kids a real Virgin Valley opal day. It is still remote desert digging, so plan water, shade and an exit strategy for bored six-year-olds. |
| Official source | Bonanza 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.
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Before you go
What does Bonanza Opal Mines cost?
$75 per person for a full day and $50 for a half day; children 12 and under free with a paid adult. Rock club members with proof and groups of five or more receive a $10 discount. Checks and cash accepted at the mine; credit cards only at the Bonanza store near the campground, which opens 7-8 am and roughly 4:45-5:30 pm on fee dig days. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Bonanza Opal Mines open?
Weekends only, Friday through Sunday, opening Memorial Day weekend (Saturday, May 23 in 2026) and closing after Labor Day weekend (closed from Tuesday, September 8 until the 2027 season), plus the Mondays of Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. Hours 8 am to 4 pm. Phone (775) 941-0111 in season, (775) 969-3616 year-round. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Bonanza Opal Mines good for kids?
Yes — Bonanza Opal Mines works for families. Free admission for children 12 and under plus a half-day option make this the cheapest way to give kids a real Virgin Valley opal day. It is still remote desert digging, so plan water, shade and an exit strategy for bored six-year-olds.