Southern Oregon offers abundant opportunities for recreational rock and mineral collecting. Riverbeds, creek banks, and lake gravels reveal a wide variety of minerals, including gem-quality specimens.

Because most of the sites listed below are located along river and creek banks, the best time for rockhounding is during the summer and early fall, when water levels are low and more materials are exposed.

Before visiting any collecting area, be sure to contact the relevant agencies for the most up-to-date information and regulations.



South Umpqua River Rockhounding in Oregon: The picture "South Umpqua River Rockhounding in Oregon – gray rock outcrops along riverside trail" shows smooth, light and dark gray rock formations covered in patches of grass and wildflowers, with a person walking along a sandy trail beside the river in the background.
Lower South Umpqua Bank

South Umpqua River

The South Umpqua River is home to extensive gravel bars, particularly in the lower and middle sections between Days Creek and Tiller.

These areas are easy to access and offer excellent rockhounding. Sugary quartz, clear agate, and jasper are abundant here, with occasional finds of carnelian, petrified wood, quartz crystals, and sparkly schist.

South Umpqua River Rockhounding - 30 Miles of Gravel Bars

Days Creek Bridge - South Umpqua River

South Umpqua River - Days CreekLocated about 7 miles east of Canyonville, this site is the first major collecting spot along the river. The gravel bars here hold quartz, agate, jasper, pyrite, and schist, making it a prime location for rockhounds. In addition, a nearby swimming hole provides a great roadside spot to cool off while exploring the gravels.

Cow Creek Gold Panning and Rockhounding

Gold Prospecting - Lower Cow Creek

Cow Creek Gold PanningThere are several productive spots for recreational gold prospecting along the Lower Cow Creek Byway, not far from Interstate-5.

In fact, Cow Creek, a tributary of the South Umpqua River, was one of the major gold producers in Southern Oregon during the Gold Rush Era.

Cow Creek Gold Panning & Rockhounding - Classical Prospecting Paradise

Nickel Mountain Mine - Riddle Rockhounding

Nickel Mountain Mine - Riddle RockhoundingA large tailing pile of rocks right by the gate of an old nickel mine is the spot where you can find garnierite and chrysoprase. The site is located at Cow Creek Back County Byway, 3 miles southwest of the small city of Riddle.

Nickel Mountain Mine - Riddle Rockhounding

Illinois River

From Grant Pass, travel onto US 199 south for about 23 miles to 8 Dollar Road/NF 4201. Turn right and drive about 2.8 miles to the bridge, past the bridge and go 0.2 miles to the parking area.

The Illinois River is the area where the rare mineral Josephinite, named after Josephine County, is found. Josephinite is also known as Awaruite, a composition of nickel and iron. Also, look for agates and jaspers.

Rocks & Minerals: Agate, Jasper, Josephinite

Althouse Creek

From Cave Junction, take OR 46 east and drive 1.8 miles to Holland Loop Road, turn right and continue 5.3 miles to Althouse Road, turn right and then turn left to stay on Althouse Road, turn left onto Althouse Creek Road.  Turn right onto Browntown Road/Forest Service Road 4703.

This place is known for rhodonite - a pink to brownish manganese inosilicate that can be cut and polished. Also, Oregon Jade, red jasper, serpentine, and gold can be found along Althouse Creek. The best time for rockhounding is summer and fall when the water level is low. There are some private and public lands along the creek's bank. Be careful not to trespass.

Rocks & Minerals: Rhodonite, serpentine, Oregon Jade, and jasper



Southern Oregon Coast

Hunter Creek RocksHunter Creek Rockhounding

The beach and the creek bottom are composed of gravel and rocks of various sizes and colors.

Chetco River RockhoundingChetco River Rockhounding

White quartz and jasper are scattered throughout the gravels of the river.

Elk River RockhoundingElk River Rockhounding

Collecting of small amounts of rocks and minerals for personal use is allowed.

Pistol River RockhoundingPistol River Rockhounding

Gravels contain quartz, agate, jasper, and petrified wood that wash down from its tributaries in the Coast Range.

Lobster Bar - Rogue River RocksLower Rogue River

Gravel bars of the river are great locations to search quartz, agate, and jasper.

McVay Rock Beach Agates - Oregon Coast Agate HuntingMcVay Rock Site

The beach is a highly productive site. Besides agates, brecciated jaspers, quartz, petrified wood, sea glass, and nephrite jade can be found.



DISCLAIMER

The Oregon Rockhounding Map provides information about some of the many rockhounding sites of the state of Oregon. Information is subject to change at any time, and Oregon Discovery team cannot guarantee that is either current or correct. Be aware that there are some mine claims and private lands near the public collecting areas. Determining the land status and minerals' collection rules at the site is your primary responsibility.

Currently, this map is incomplete but new rockhounding sites and related details will be added in the future.




Marli B. Miller. Roadside Geology of Oregon. 2014. Mountain Press Publishing Company Missoula, Montana. William A. Kappele.

Rockhounding Oregon: A Guide to the State's Best Rockhounding Sites (Rockhounding Series). 2014. A Falcon Guide. William A. Kappele.