Nevada

Rockhounding Regulations

General Rules

  • • BLM lands: 25 pounds per day plus one piece, 250 pounds per year limit
  • • No permits required for weekend/amateur prospecting
  • • Hand tools, pans, and metal detectors allowed
  • • Materials must be for personal use only

Permits & Licenses

  • • No permits for casual rockhounding on BLM lands
  • • Dredging requires Nevada Division of Wildlife permit
  • • Commercial collecting requires special permits

Restrictions

  • • Prohibited in National Parks
  • • No collecting in wilderness areas (surface only)
  • • Active mining claims require owner permission
  • • Some areas have specific restrictions

Contacts

  • • BLM Nevada: (775) 861-6400
  • • Nevada Division of Wildlife: (775) 688-1500
  • • Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology: (775) 784-6691