Priday Polka Dot Agate Mine



Priday Polka Dot Agate Mine is another famous location that produces unique agates with polka-dot pattern of contrasting colors. The mine is located 25 miles northeast of Madras and managed by West Coast Mining Company.

Polka Dot is an orbicular agate with a fan pattern of multicolored oval inclusions or dots. The size of dots varies from slightly visible to one-quarter of an inch. The translucent to opaque Polka Dot agate features white, creamy, or blue base with brown, golden-yellow, and orange dots. Some dots are completely agatized, and some of them are made of iron (brown) or manganese (black) oxide dendrites. Some specimens contain black dendrites and brown jasper embedded within their translucent sections.

Light-blue minerals named Blue Ice or Blue Ice Ocean is highly prized by lapidarists and collectors for their quality. It cut well and takes a high gloss polish.



Priday Polka Dot Agate Mine
Blue Ice Ocean Agate

The agate bed is located in the canyon just below the parking area. Currently, digging is closed to the public because of safety reasons but you can walk to the canyon bottom and enjoy watching seams of beautiful agates within the hill.

Mining activities at this site date back thousands of years. Native Americans mined agates here to make sharp tools, including knives, arrowheads, and spears. Tunnels made by local tribes are visible on the right side of the hill.



Priday Polka Dot Agate Mine
Native American Mine Tunnel

The mine shop offers a wide range of rocks and minerals for purchase, including local Polka Dot agates, as well as picture jasper, thundereggs, and green jasper from other mines operated by West Coast Mining.

In addition to agates, there is a thunderegg deposit at the Polka Dot Agate Mine. Discovered a few years ago, the Canyon Rim Thunderegg Bed produces large and interesting specimens. Check with the mine office if it is open for public digging.

The mine is open seasonally, typically, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Sometimes, the entrance near the Polka-dotted trailer can be closed, which means the mine operation is shut down for this day. It is advisable to contact the mine before making a long trip to confirm if it is open.



Thunder egg Deposit - Polka Dot Agate Mine
Thunderegg Deposit
Canyon Rim Thunderegg
Canyon Rim Thunderegg

Beyond the Rocks: Exploring the Area

Richardson's Rock Ranch, known for its extensive world-famous deposits of mineral-filled nodules or thundereggs, is located just 14 miles away of the mine. Besides local rocks, the ranch's rock shop offers for sale varieties of specimens from all over the world.

Cove Palisades State Park and Lake Billy Chinook, 34 miles west of Polka Dot, is a great place for fishing, boating, swimming, and hiking.

Situated 47 miles southwest, Smith Rock State Park features a ridge with the highest promontory at 3,200 feet rising over the Crooked River Canyon. It is a popular site for rock climbers.

Peter Skene Ogden Wayside is a dramatic 300-foot-deep canyon into the Crooked River Gorge, featuring a stunning view, walking trails with interpretive panels, picnic areas, and bungee jumping. It is located 48 miles southwest on Highway US 97.

Kah-Nee-Ta Resort & Spa, 46 miles northwest, is a remote hot spring oasis hidden in the high desert.



Priday Polka Dot Agate Mine | Facts

Material: Orbucular and Blue Ice agate, thundereggs
Tools: Check if digging is allowed
Land type: Mountain hillside

Best time to visit: From May to November, Wednesday through Sunday 8 am - 8 pm
Land manager: Private mine
Fees: For pricing, contact West Coast Mining

Location: 25 miles northeast of Madras • Oregon • USA
Road access: Any vehicle
Elevation: 2,980 ft (908 m)

Places to Stay Near Polka Dot Agate Mine

Camping facilities are not offered at the Priday Polka Dot Agate Mine.

However, its proximity—just 25 miles from Madras and 70 miles from Bend, you can select from a diverse range of accommodation options for your stay. Take advantage of the numerous choices in these nearby areas to enrich your overall experience during your visit to the mine.

Lodging in Madras or Redmond

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay at Madras

Lodging in Bend

Affordable vacation rentals for short and long term stay at Bend



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Priday Polka Dot Agate Mine Directions & Contacts

From Madras,

  • Drive 14.7 miles northeast on Highway US-97 to Pony Butte Road
  • Turn right onto Pony Butte Road and travel 9 miles east to a gate
  • You can go to mine if the gate is open; turn right on the dirt road and continue 0.5 miles to the mine office

Phone: 509-522-4851
E-mail: info@wcmining.com

N 44°45.521' W 120°49.819' | 44.7587, -120.8303



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