Hampton Butte is a 120-acre rockhounding site situated near the unincorporated community of Brothers, about 12 miles northeast of Highway 20. It stands out as one of Oregon's premier locations for petrified wood collectors, attracting rockhounds from across the state and beyond.

What makes Hampton Butte truly unique is its abundance of green petrified wood—a rare and highly sought-after find. The vivid green hues result from mineral deposits that replaced the original wood structure over millions of years, creating stunning specimens that are prized by collectors.

The terrain at Hampton Butte varies, with a beautiful juniper forest, offering a shady, serene setting for both rockhounding and camping. While the area is remote, its proximity to Highway 20 and nearby towns such as Bend and Redmond makes it a convenient stop for those embarking on a rockhounding road trip through Central Oregon. Visitors should come prepared with proper tools, water, and supplies, as services are limited in this rugged and isolated area.

Please remember to keep the area clean by packing out all your trash.

As part of Central Oregon's network of recreational rockhounding sites, Hampton Butte is featured on the Central Oregon Rockhounding Map. If you're on a rockhounding adventure, this location offers plenty of opportunity.

Hampton Butte Rockhounding

Petrified wood at Hampton Butte comes in a variety of colors. You can find white, gray, black, and yellow pieces, but the most prized finds range from turquoise to dark green.

This unique coloration is caused by the different minerals present during the fossilization. At Hampton Butte, the green colors are often attributed to the mineralization of the wood with copper first and then the metal oxidation later. This process created a vibrant green hue similar to how copper turns green.

In addition to petrified wood, Hampton Butte is also known for its limb casts. Most of the petrified wood is jasperized or opalized, but with a bit of luck, you might come across agatized pieces. Agates and jaspers are common finds here as well, making this site a treasure trove for rockhounds.

Though Hampton Butte has been popular with collectors for decades, you can still find tumbler-sized petrified wood scattered on the surface. For larger, higher-quality specimens, digging 1 to 2 feet below the surface can be rewarding. Fortunately, the soil is soft, making excavation relatively easy. However, it's best to avoid digging under trees or around their roots, as it can make the work harder and potentially damage the local flora.

One thing to note is that the site contains a significant amount of porous material, so not all of your finds will be suitable for polishing.

The area is bordered by BLM (Bureau of Land Management) lands to the north and east, with private property lying to the west and south. Be mindful of property boundaries during your exploration.