Oregon is one of the best states in the U.S. for rockhounding, offering everything from ancient fossils to colorful gemstones.

Volcanic activity, river erosion, and desert winds have created a landscape rich in agates, jaspers, petrified wood, obsidian, and thundereggs — Oregon’s official state rock. These round, geode-like formations often contain agate, jasper, or opal cores and are found in several areas, including the Ochoco National Forest, Richardson’s Rock Ranch near Madras, and Succor Creek in the Owyhee area.

The state mineral is sunstone, a rare, copper-bearing feldspar that sparkles with red, green, or gold flashes. Oregon sunstones are unique to the state and can be collected at the Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area near Plush in the remote high desert.


Special Oregon Rockhounding Areas

Oregon boasts many places that are designated as Public Rockhounding Areas. The most of them are located in the Ochoco National Forests of Central Oregon and nearby. Thundereggs, agate, jasper, petrified wood, and limb casts are found in the area.

Also, Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area in the Rabitt Basin of Southern Oregon allows people to collect sunstones.

There are many other places managed by BLM and U.S. Forest providing opportunities to find great collectible rocks and minerals.

Notable Oregon Geological Sites

Oregon’s geology offers world-class destinations for rock enthusiasts. The Painted Hills showcase colorful fossil-rich claystones, while the Obsidian Flow near Newberry Volcano features volcanic glass.

The John Day Fossil Beds reveal layers of ancient flora and fauna, the Devils Punchbowl exposes dramatic basalt formations, and Crater Lake displays a volcanic caldera with unique igneous formations.


Oregon Rockhounding Sites and Geological Formations - Map

The Best Oregon Rockhounding Guide Books

Rockhounding OregonRockhounding Oregon

This book provides detailed directions and GPS coordinates to the best rockhounding sites in Oregon. Information on clubs, rock shops, museums, and special attractions are provided.


Rocks and Minerals OregonRocks & Minerals of Washington and Oregon

A Field Guide to the Evergreen and Beaver States with Rocks & Minerals Identification. The book features comprehensive entries for 124 rocks and minerals, from common rocks to rare finds. The field guide’s easy-to-use format helps you to quickly find what you need to know and where to look.


Central Oregon RockhoundingUS Forestry Service Central Oregon Rockhounding Map

There are areas that are free to the public in search of agate, jasper, limbcast, petrified wood, moss, dendrite and angel wing. Rockhounding areas are managed by both the Bureau of Land Management and the Ochoco National Forest.


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