Hike-in Required
No
ADA accessible
No
Guided tours
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

The Scotty's Junction rockhounding area lies not far off of Nevada highway 95, and it is particularly rich in Apache tears - small rounded obsidian stones - that lie clustered across the area's surface. Bubbled chalcedony is another stone that can be found in this area, though it is definitely not as plentiful as the obsidian stones.

The stones themselves are volcanic obsidianite glass, and samples here vary in opaqueness from some that appear solid black to others where dark bands appear within the translucent stone when held to the light. 

The Apache tears are present in patches all over the surface of the ground, so no tools are needed. With the sun overhead, you can simply look down and see the black stones amongst other lighter rocks. With the sun at an angle, it's possible to keep the sun at your back and look for the shine of the reflective stones' surfaces across the ground.

This is BLM land, so there are no restrictions against collecting the stones, though finding them and then leaving them in the area afterwards can be just as entertaining.

This may be a fun activity for children for those making the long drive across Nevada or heading to Scotty's Castle in Death Valley National Park. However, on my visit there were small cactus spread sporadically through the area, so keep an eye on kids and pets.

A 1-mile or so drive on a dirt road is required, though standard cars should have no issue with the road.

There are no amenities of any kind in the area. Nearest amenities are located in the towns of Beatty or Goldfield, or at Scotty's Castle.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

LOTS of Apache tears. Makes a good break on a long drive.

Cons

Area is near highway noise.

Pets allowed

Allowed

Features

Geologically significant

Location

Comments

Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.