Haystack Butte, also known as Haystack Rock, is a remote high desert destination within the Owyhee area, located approximately 24 miles southeast of Nyssa and 30 miles south of Vale.

This rugged landscape, covered with sagebrush, is a haven for rock enthusiasts with promises of extraordinary discoveries, including colorful jasper-agate, jasper, clear, white, or gray mossy agate, petrified wood, chalcedony, and occasionally common opal.

Haystack Butte Rockhounding

Haystack Butte Jasper, also referred to as Jellybean Jasper, is famous for its diverse array of hues including red, green, and yellow. This brecciated jasper is prized for its ability to take on a brilliant polish, making it ideal for crafting cabochons.

Agate can be found in clear, white, or gray variations, often adorned with a mossy appearance or intricate botryoidal or crystalline cavities.

The landscape is rich with float material, offering ample opportunities for exploration. Spend some time searching steep hillsides, traversing dry washes, and hounding around washed gullies. Dig into old pits left behind by others if you find promising chips nearby.

Exercise caution and respect any claim markers encountered to avoid trespassing.

Know Before You Go

The Haystack Butte area is a remote desert destination that requires careful preparation. Here are some essential tips for a safe and rewarding rockhounding experience:

• Lack of Services: No services, including gas stations, drinking water, or cell reception, are available within 20-30 miles of the site. Ensure your vehicle is fully fueled and stocked with all essentials before you go.
• Wildlife Precautions: Rattlesnakes are common in this area. Stay alert and keep an eye on your surroundings to avoid encounters.
• Weather Caution: Avoid visiting during rainy conditions or when the roads are wet, as the terrain can quickly become treacherous and dangerous.
• Vehicle Requirements: A rugged, high-clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended, along with some off-road driving experience.
• Supplies: Bring spare tires, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Due to limited cell service, inform someone of your travel plans or carry a satellite communication device for emergencies.
• Safety Preparations: Familiarize yourself with desert safety practices to better prepare for the unique challenges of this remote and stunning landscape.

Best time: May through October
Managed by: Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Rocks & Minerals: Jellybean jasper, agate, petrified wood, chalcedony, and common opal
Tools: Shovel, geology pick, hammer, and chisel

Amenities: None
Activities: Rockhounding, camping, and wildlife observing

Distance from the parking: Vary
Road access: A high-clearance 4WD vehicle
Day-use fees: None

Elevation: 2,700 ft (820 m)

Haystack Butte is located:

• 24 miles southeast of Nyssa
• 270 miles east of Bend
• 400 miles southeast of Portland.