Rock & Mineral Collecting – Central Oregon Rockhounding

Central Oregon just east of the Cascade Mountains is known to be a popular rock and mineral collecting area. Productive sites of Crook, Jefferson, and Deschutes Counties offer a variety of gem-quality minerals including famous thundereggs, petrified wood, limb cast, agate, jasper, and opal. Opal is found at Opal Butte in Morrow County but this area is closed to public diggings.

• Jefferson County has popular minerals collecting sites including fossils, petrified wood, geodes, thunder eggs, agate and jasper.
• Deschutes County is well-known for petrified wood.
• The Warm Spring Reservation in Wasco and Jefferson Counties produces black and white colored agate.
• Crook County is the most productive area with minerals such as petrified wood, limb casts, thunder eggs, agate, and jasper.

A wide variety of minerals, semiprecious gemstones, and rocks is available on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service. Also, there are privately owned mines, open to the public for fee digging. There may be private claims in some areas. Check it before you go.

Here is a list of the most popular sites, available for recreational rockhounding. But before accessing the sites and collecting any rocks, contact the local government agency to find out the most up-to-date information and regulations.

Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock is a rugged area framed by juniper-covered hills and dramatic rock formations. This area offers a challenging hike, stunning views, and the chance to find treasures.

Eagle Rock Rockhounding - A Rugged Trail to the Collecting Site

Congleton Hollow

Congleton Hollow is a rockhounding haven offers enthusiasts the chance to discover opalized petrified wood and limb casts in striking shades of blue, pink, and green.

Congleton Hollow Rockhounding: Unveiling Earth's Treasures

Dendrite Butte

Dendrite Butte is is a well-known destination for rockhounding enthusiasts. This Limb Cast Area is particularly famous for its limb casts featuring vibrant shades of blue, pink, and green, as well as the presence of opalized and petrified wood.

Exploring Dendrite Butte: Rockhounding for Limb Casts

Whistler Springs

Whistler Springs Rockhounding Site is hidden deep in the beautiful ponderosa pine forest within the boundary of the Ochoco National Forest. The area produces agate-filled thundereggs.

Whistler Springs: Discover Agate-Filled Thundereggs in the Ochoco National Forest

Lucky Strike Mine

Lucky Strike Mine is a remote fee-digging area in the Ochoco Mountain. This mine offers a unique opportunity to collect stunning thundereggs, known for their diverse colors and intricate patterns.

Lucky Strike Mine: A Remote Pay-to-Dig Thunderegg Bed

Bear Creek

Bear Creek Rockhounding Area is well-known for an abundance of petrified wood. The specimens found here range in color from black, brown, white, and gray to yellow.

Bear Creek Rockhounding: Discovering Petrified Wood

Maury Mountain Agate Beds

Maury Mountain Agate Beds is a popular destination designated as a public rockhounding area. The site produces beautiful varieties of moss agates with gold, green and red hues; dendritic and white plume agates can be found.

Maury Mountain Agate Beds: A Premier Moss Agate Destination

Polka Dot Agate Mine

Polka Dot Agate Mine is famous agate beds that produce orbicular agates, characterized by their round, multicolored dots, which create a striking appearance. In addition, the mine is also known for yielding unique large thundereggs.

Polka Dot Agate Mine: Discover the Hidden Gem of Central Oregon

Richardson’s Rock Ranch

Richardson’s Rock Ranch is renowned for its world-famous thunderegg deposits. Among its most prized finds is the Priday Plume Agate, featuring brilliant red and yellow plumes encased in a transparent matrix. The ranch’s rock shop offers a diverse selection of geological finds from both Oregon and around the world.

Richardson’s Rock Ranch: World-Famous Thunderegg Deposits

When rockhounding in Central Oregon, it's essential to follow local regulations and respect private property boundaries. Additionally, it's a good idea to bring appropriate tools, safety gear, and be prepared for outdoor conditions. Before planning a trip, consider checking with local rockhounding clubs or forums for the latest information and tips on the best spots to explore in the area.