There’s truly an adventure for everyone in Nevada, no matter what you’re into. For example, did you realize that the Silver State is a true rockhound’s paradise? There are all sorts of places where you can dig for your own gems right here in Nevada and these destinations make for an experience you’re bound to treasure (pun intended). Featured here is a turquoise mine tour that you’ll definitely want to consider the next time you and your family are looking for fun things to do in Nevada! These tours give visitors a unique chance to mine for their own turquoise in the backcountry of Tonopah, Nevada. Read about this experience below and don’t miss out on this unique opportunity this year!
It may not be super obvious to most, but Tonopah is a turquoise paradise. Surrounding the city are hills that are filled with this brilliant mineral, and you can experience what it’s like to mine some of it yourself.
Steve S/TripAdvisor
Based out of the Great Basin Desert, the Otteson family is especially well-known as the region’s largest turquoise producer. Three generations of the family have spent decades unearthing precious turquoise, and they are even the stars of the INSP television show “Turquoise Fever.”
Ottesonbrothersturquoise/Facebook
As operators of some of the most productive mines in the state, the Otteson family is happy to host turquoise mine tours for interested visitors and enthusiastic rockhounds alike.
DeanR1963/TripAdvisor
In fact, this family-run “gem” in the middle of one of Nevada’s most stark landscapes is one of the only turquoise mines in Nevada, as well as one of the few remaining mines open to the public.
Ottesonbrothersturquoise/Facebook
Ottesonbrothersturquoise/Facebook
Tours are typically held twice per week from April through October. Each tour consists of over 2.5-hours of onsite mining, so you’re bound to walk away with plenty of beautiful turquoise in the end. This is definitely the experience of a lifetime!
Reval1955/TripAdvisor
All tours depart from the Giggles Gas Station in Tonopah. From there, you’ll fill out some paperwork and receive a short briefing of the day’s activities. You’ll then follow your tour guide out to the Royston Mine.
Jonathan/GoogleMaps
Keep in mind that mining can be dangerous business and it may not be for everyone. However, those who brave the harsh elements of the Nevada desert and put in some honest hard work are bound to walk away with a generous amount of mesmerizing turquoise stones as a reward.
Ottesonbrothersturquoise/Facebook
If you choose not to dig, don’t worry. The Otteson brothers have a gorgeous array of turquoise jewelry, knick-knacks, and handmade items available as well.
D&T Otteson/Facebook
Rare finds like these are an iconic symbol of what treasures can be found in Nevada with a little determination (and some muscle). On your next trip through Tonopah, be sure to check out this unique mine tour from Nevada’s very own Otteson Brothers and try your own hand at digging some brilliant turquoise!
Ottesonbrothersturquoise/Facebook
Mining in Nevada has played a major role in our state’s history for well over a century now. There’s a reason we’re called the Silver State, after all!
Steve S/TripAdvisor
Ottesonbrothersturquoise/Facebook
DeanR1963/TripAdvisor
Reval1955/TripAdvisor
Jonathan/GoogleMaps
D&T Otteson/Facebook
Are you interested in taking on a turquoise mine tour with Nevada’s Otteson Brothers? You may just walk away with some beautiful treasures in your pocket in the end. Visit their website for hours, details, recommended equipment, and more.
Check out another unique experience like this one when you read about this old gem mine in Nevada.
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Address: Tonopah, NV 89049, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Turquoise Mine Tour in Nevada & Related Info February 13, 2023 Jennifer What are some of the most unique small-town attractions in Nevada? Tonopah, NV has made a name for itself as an offbeat desert stop that houses some truly out-of-the-box attractions. However, in many respects, Nevada’s entire landscape is a collection of oddities. Artists have been using the state’s desert location as a canvas for years, and many of the unlikeliest small towns and dirt road outskirts feature unique galleries, historic businesses, and roadside attractions for visitors to admire. Some of the best and most unique small-town attractions in Nevada include:
Alien Research Center, Hiko Clown Motel, Tonopah Flaming Praying Mantis, Las Vegas Goldwell Open Air Museum, Rhyolite Guru Road/Dooby Lane, Gerlach Humboldt Museum, Winnemucca Hoover Dam, Boulder City International Car Forest of the Last Church, Goldfield Jarbidge Wilderness, Jarbidge Jigg’s Bar, Elko Little A’Le’Inn, Rachel Republic of Molossia, Dayton Tonopah Historic Mining Park, Tonopah
Are there any haunted hotels in Nevada? With a backstory made legendary by Wild West outlaws, vibrant boomtowns, and a fantastic smattering of historic events, it’s no wonder that Nevada is considered to be one of the most haunted and paranormally active corners of the country. Nevada’s hotels are particularly full of history and reported supernatural events. Here are just a few of the most haunted hotels in Nevada:
Boulder Dam Hotel, Boulder Dam Goldfield Hotel, Goldfield Gold Hill Hotel, Virginia City Jackson House Hotel, Eureka Mitzpah Hotel, Tonopah Nevada Hotel, Battle Mountain Overland Hotel, Pioche Silver Queen Hotel, Virginia City Santa Fe Inn, Winnemucca Sugarloaf Mountain Motel, Virginia City Thunderbird Lodge, Incline Village
The OIYS Visitor Center
Turquoise Mine Tour in Nevada & Related Info
February 13, 2023
Jennifer
What are some of the most unique small-town attractions in Nevada? Tonopah, NV has made a name for itself as an offbeat desert stop that houses some truly out-of-the-box attractions. However, in many respects, Nevada’s entire landscape is a collection of oddities. Artists have been using the state’s desert location as a canvas for years, and many of the unlikeliest small towns and dirt road outskirts feature unique galleries, historic businesses, and roadside attractions for visitors to admire. Some of the best and most unique small-town attractions in Nevada include:
Alien Research Center, Hiko Clown Motel, Tonopah Flaming Praying Mantis, Las Vegas Goldwell Open Air Museum, Rhyolite Guru Road/Dooby Lane, Gerlach Humboldt Museum, Winnemucca Hoover Dam, Boulder City International Car Forest of the Last Church, Goldfield Jarbidge Wilderness, Jarbidge Jigg’s Bar, Elko Little A’Le’Inn, Rachel Republic of Molossia, Dayton Tonopah Historic Mining Park, Tonopah
Are there any haunted hotels in Nevada? With a backstory made legendary by Wild West outlaws, vibrant boomtowns, and a fantastic smattering of historic events, it’s no wonder that Nevada is considered to be one of the most haunted and paranormally active corners of the country. Nevada’s hotels are particularly full of history and reported supernatural events. Here are just a few of the most haunted hotels in Nevada:
Boulder Dam Hotel, Boulder Dam Goldfield Hotel, Goldfield Gold Hill Hotel, Virginia City Jackson House Hotel, Eureka Mitzpah Hotel, Tonopah Nevada Hotel, Battle Mountain Overland Hotel, Pioche Silver Queen Hotel, Virginia City Santa Fe Inn, Winnemucca Sugarloaf Mountain Motel, Virginia City Thunderbird Lodge, Incline Village
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tonopah, NV has made a name for itself as an offbeat desert stop that houses some truly out-of-the-box attractions. However, in many respects, Nevada’s entire landscape is a collection of oddities. Artists have been using the state’s desert location as a canvas for years, and many of the unlikeliest small towns and dirt road outskirts feature unique galleries, historic businesses, and roadside attractions for visitors to admire. Some of the best and most unique small-town attractions in Nevada include:
- Alien Research Center, Hiko
- Clown Motel, Tonopah
- Flaming Praying Mantis, Las Vegas
- Goldwell Open Air Museum, Rhyolite
- Guru Road/Dooby Lane, Gerlach
- Humboldt Museum, Winnemucca
- Hoover Dam, Boulder City
- International Car Forest of the Last Church, Goldfield
- Jarbidge Wilderness, Jarbidge
- Jigg’s Bar, Elko
- Little A’Le’Inn, Rachel
- Republic of Molossia, Dayton
- Tonopah Historic Mining Park, Tonopah
Are there any haunted hotels in Nevada?
With a backstory made legendary by Wild West outlaws, vibrant boomtowns, and a fantastic smattering of historic events, it’s no wonder that Nevada is considered to be one of the most haunted and paranormally active corners of the country. Nevada’s hotels are particularly full of history and reported supernatural events. Here are just a few of the most haunted hotels in Nevada:
- Boulder Dam Hotel, Boulder Dam
- Goldfield Hotel, Goldfield
- Gold Hill Hotel, Virginia City
- Jackson House Hotel, Eureka
- Mitzpah Hotel, Tonopah
- Nevada Hotel, Battle Mountain
- Overland Hotel, Pioche
- Silver Queen Hotel, Virginia City
- Santa Fe Inn, Winnemucca
- Sugarloaf Mountain Motel, Virginia City
- Thunderbird Lodge, Incline Village
