Glass Butte & Little Glass Butte: Unearthing Treasures of Obsidian

Glass Butte and Little Glass Butte, located in the Oregon high desert just 57 miles west of Burns and 78 miles east of Bend, are renowned for their impressive diversity of obsidian. These two prominent peaks, approximately half a mile apart, are favorite destinations for rock hounds. The 6,000-acre area, characterized by volcanic mountains and rolling hills covered in sagebrush, has been designated as a Free Public Use Area.

Accessible from milepost 77 on US Route 20, Glass Butte boasts some of the largest deposits of high-quality obsidian in the world. Obsidian forms when basalt cools rapidly, preventing crystallization and resulting in a glass-like mineral. The hills surrounding Glass Butte and Little Glass Butte are rich in this unique material, making them prime locations for collectors.

While most obsidian is black, the Glass Buttes area offers a surprising variety of types, including red fire, flame, mahogany, midnight lace, and sheens of gold, silver, and rainbow. It's no wonder Glass Butte is regarded as the best place in Oregon—and one of the best in the world—for high-quality obsidian.

No permits are required to collect a reasonable daily amount of minerals for personal use, defined as a trunk load or less than 250 pounds.

The best season for rockhounding in the Glass Buttes area spans from spring to fall. To maximize your collection efforts, consider bringing tools such as a shovel, hammer, pick, pry bar, and gad. Because obsidian is a type of volcanic glass, it is very sharp. Native Americans historically used this material to craft arrowheads, spear points, and cutting tools.

While there is plenty of obsidian readily available for collection by simply picking it up, tools can also be utilized to extract obsidian from various pits throughout the area.

During the rainy season, the terrain can become muddy, so a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is recommended for access.

Caution: Obsidian is extremely sharp. When working with or cleaving obsidian, sharp glass splinters can fly through the air, posing a risk of severe eye injury. It is advisable to wear safety glasses with side protection and protective gloves. Additionally, carrying a tire-fixing kit and/or a spare tire may be wise, as driving over exceptionally sharp pieces of obsidian can damage your tires.

Open: Year-round
Managed by: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Amenities: None
Activities: Rockhounding, hiking, camping

Road access: A high-clearance vehicle is recommended
Day-use fees: None

Elevation: 4,900-6,100 ft (1,494-1,829 m)

Glass Butte is located:

• 57 miles west of Burns
• 78 miles southeast of Bend
• 230 miles southeast of Portland.

Disclaimer: Please note that information about public rockhounding sites is subject to change at any time, and the Oregon Discovery team cannot guarantee its accuracy or currency. Be aware that some mining claims and private lands may be adjacent to public collecting areas. It is your responsibility to determine the land status and the rules for mineral collection at each site. Always respect any No Trespassing signs.