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 long-term weathering have shaped a landscape rich in agates, jaspers, petrified wood, obsidian, and thundereggs — Oregon’s official state rock.

Thundereggs can be found in several areas in Oregon, 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 especially well known for their quality and can be collected at the Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area near Plush in the remote high desert.

Oregon Rockhounding Sites

Oregon boasts many designated Public Rockhounding Areas. 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, the Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area in the Rabbit Basin of Southern Oregon allows people to collect sunstones.

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

Notable Oregon Geological Sites

Oregon has some of the most amazing geological sites in the U.S.

The Painted Hills show colorful layers of claystone filled with ancient plant and animal fossils.

At the John Day Fossil Beds, layers of rock reveal plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.

Near Newberry Volcano, black obsidian flow—volcanic glass—forms shiny, sharp rocks.

Crater Lake is a deep lake inside a volcanic crater, surrounded by unique rocks created from past eruptions.

Oregon Rockhounding and Geological Sites - Map

Oregon Rockhounding Map Legend



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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