Garnet Hill Recreation Area
Nevada
almandine garnetrhyolite
BLM collecting area · Free
Garnet Hill Recreation Area
BLM's Ely District manages this hill west of Ely, just past the Ruth turnoff off US Highway 50, as an open rockhounding site — ruby-red semi-precious almandine garnets that grew as single crystals in cavities in the rhyolite. You either break the host rock carefully or, easier, walk the drainages and surface where weathering has already freed them. The 3.1-mile graded road is winding and somewhat steep but passable in a sedan; BLM does not recommend it for RVs or large trailers, and there is no water on site.
The card catalog
| What you can find | almandine garnet, rhyolite |
|---|---|
| Access | BLM collecting area — Free |
| Fees | Free; BLM requires no fee or permit for rockhounding. Two informal camping areas at no charge, suitable for tents and small campers only. |
| Season & hours | Best late spring through fall. The site sits around 7,000 feet, so snow and mud can close the graded access road in winter and early spring. BLM notes no water is available at any time of year. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Four picnic sites with grills, a group barbecue area and an accessible restroom make this unusually civilized for a collecting site. Kids can find garnets by scanning the drainages downhill from the outcrops, no hammering required. |
| Official source | Bureau of Land Management, Ely District |
| 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 Garnet Hill Recreation Area cost?
Free; BLM requires no fee or permit for rockhounding. Two informal camping areas at no charge, suitable for tents and small campers only. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Garnet Hill Recreation Area open?
Best late spring through fall. The site sits around 7,000 feet, so snow and mud can close the graded access road in winter and early spring. BLM notes no water is available at any time of year. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Garnet Hill Recreation Area good for kids?
Yes — Garnet Hill Recreation Area works for families. Four picnic sites with grills, a group barbecue area and an accessible restroom make this unusually civilized for a collecting site. Kids can find garnets by scanning the drainages downhill from the outcrops, no hammering required.