Royal Peacock Opal Mine

Denio, NV

• Phone: May 15 – Oct 15: 775-941-0374 / Winter: 775-272-3201
• Web site: http://www.royalpeacock.com
• Length of Vacation: Day, Overnight or longer
• Cost: Bank Digging – $190/person per day; Tailings Area, Mine Dumps – $75/person per day (see site for details)
• Open: Seasonal, May – Oct; 8am – 4pm daily (weather permitting)
• Type of Prospecting: Fire Opal
• Equipment: Bring your own (see site for info)
• Instruction: Site does not say
• Lodging: Full RV $35/day, Campers & Tents $7/day per person (see site for details)
• Meals: Bring your own food – stores are a good drive away; on site store has water, ice and snacks (see site for details)

From their web site:

It wasn’t until the 1800’s as the westward expansion of the United States reached this remote section of Humboldt County, that the Virgin Valley opals became known to western civilization. Buckaroos working cattle and sheep in the area picked up a few opals to trade later for a Saturday night beer in town.

Serious prospecting began around the turn of the century as the world demand for quality opals began to climb. The first workings in the Virgin Valley were started in 1905, beginning a period of increasing activity that has only been interrupted by two world wars.

Today, several commercial mining operations and more than 200 private claims are working the Virgin Valley opal deposits, producing not only the prized Black Opal, but also Fire Opals of many hues, with the brilliant fire unique to the valley’s gem.

Millions of dollars in opals have been taken from the Virgin Valley since 1905. The most famous of these, the Robeling Opal, and 14 other spectacular examples are on display in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

What is at the Royal Peacock:

• 15 space RV Park plus considerable space for tent campers
• Laundry Room and toilet/shower room
• Opal & Gift Shop, bags of ice, Cold sodas, Pure Well Water, Grass Picnic areas.
• Good access road with signs on main highway & access road