The range is named after James Finney, "Old Virginny", an early discoverer of gold associated with the Comstock Lode.

[3] The highest peak is Mount Davidson at 7,864 feet (2,397 m), near Virginia City, Nevada.

[6] Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi) is the dominant species at higher elevations.

Other trees in the range include the Single-leaf Pinyon Pine (Pinus monophylla) and Utah Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma).

For the notable 1860s silver strike and mining town in the Virginia Range, see: