Willamette River Valley, Oregon courtesy Wikipedia. Many of the locations listed here can be found in the USFS Central Oregon Rockhounding Guide. ~Barry Lopez From remote beginnings deep in the forested folds of the old Cascades, the beautiful Calapooia River winds a meandering path through the landscape of Oregon's Linn county, and through the history of the region. Oregon is rich in many different types of rocks due to its impressive geologic formations. This interest of mine has lasted until today, so I decided to create this website. To determine what type of public land a particular location is on, I would recommend starting with the Public Lands Interpretive Associations Oregon Maps. If youve already found a rock and youre not sure what it is, I would highly recommend checking out my Practical Rock Identification System. Agates are plentiful in Oregon as stars in the sky! For this reason, they are highly valued and sought after. In Central Oregon, the White River which is a tributary of the Deschutes River is also known for this mineral and many other better ones. Like most of Oregon, the southeastern part of the state is well known to produce a wide variety of quartz family gemstones such as agates and jasper, and many localities are also known for thundereggs, opal, geodes, and petrified wood. Deschutes jasper or the Owyhee jasper is also pretty sought after. There are private claims in the area, be careful not to trespass. Most of them can be found near beaches where they are washed up. The Calapooia River is an 80-mile tributary of the Willamette River in the U.S. state of Oregon.The Calapooia flows generally northwest from its source in the Cascade Range near Tidbits Mountain. The stones that you can find here are agate, jasper, and petrified wood. Last 30 days. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases with no additional costs for you. In 40 games with the Portland Trail. Probably the best place to rockhound in Oregon is the county of Crook. The Congleton Hollow, in the area of South Fork Crooked River, is a great place to find both petrified wood and opalized wood. The Alsea River flows 48.5 miles (78.1 km) from Alsea, an unincorporated community in the coastal mountains of the U.S. state of Oregon, to the Pacific Ocean near the city of Waldport. You get here by driving onto US-20 East (aka Main Street) for around 19 miles to Quartzville Road. The Apollo 15 sample. There are more quality gemstones and fewer people a little further south between Yachats and Florence. The most popular rockhounding sites in Utah are the Dugway Geode Beds and Topaz Mountain. Agate, Moonstone, Jasper, Chalcedony, etc. Check out our content about rockhounding Oregon for more information about unique and off the beaten path places to visit. Elk River Rockhounding Collecting of small amounts of rocks and minerals for personal use is allowed. The agate hunting on Oregons Pacific Coast is world class. With that being said, here are some of the best rockhounding or beachcombing places in Oregon. Many specimens and their respective varieties can be found on the gravel beds of these rivers, and when it comes to the Willamette River, the best place for collecting specimens is north of Salem, to the south of Corvallis. Driving northeast for an hour and 43 minutes from Roseburg via I-5 N, you stand an excellent chance of finding specimens of the Linn County native Holley Blue Agate. So have you ever thought if rocks have their own DNA? The state rock of Oregon is the famous thunderegg. The eastern two-thirds of the state are a high plateau, highlighted by large basalt flows in the northeast. Also, fossil collecting is prohibited in most places across Oregon, but you can have a collecting permit to do so. Oregon is one of the premier locations to find thundereggs in the entire world. Check out river beds along Timber Road, Clear Creek Road, and Banks-Vernonia State Trail. Once you see the sign, turn left onto Quartzville Road and continue roughly 13 miles. Like Northern Oregon, its beaches produce agates and other quartz family minerals, and its more mountainous terrain add some variety with the many local mines in the area. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "actilivi0d5-20"; Explore fresh gravel bars during low water flows with a geology pick to find many collectible stones. You wont need a removal-fill permit for this. Here head towards the Nehalem River and the Clear Creek. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255: , Malheur & Owyhee Rockhounding Sites Eastern Oregon, Rock & Mineral Collecting Southern Oregon Rockhounding, Umpqua River Lighthouse Umpqua Lighthouse State Park, Beautiful Secluded Lone Ranch Beach South Oregon Coast, Brookings & Beyond Things To Do & See | Oregon Coast, Battle Rock Wayside Park a Historic Landmark of Port Orford, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Though Oregon is famous for its gemstones, minerals, and rocks when it comes to crystals, things take a different turn. Agate, Jasper, Petrified wood, Moonstone, Garnet (grossularite), Oregon Jade (massive grossularite garnet), Agate, Chalcedony, Carnelian, Jasper, Petrified wood, Silicified wood, Agate, Garnets, Gold, Jasper, Petrified wood, Quartz crystals, Agate, Chalcedony, Gold, Jasper, Petrified wood, Rhodonite. The Complete Guide: All Tools You Need for Rockhounding. Oregon has some cool rocks and precious stones just waiting to be picked up by curious rockhounds! TIP: Cutting and polishing jasper is not difficult and can be very rewarding. Tips for finding the best rocks: Public access is limited, so following the Callapooia River along Callapooia Drive and discovering small pullovers to park and walk down to the river is recommended. Also expect widespread flooding in North Albany in the vicinity of Springhill Road and Quarry Road. Be aware that there are some mine claims and private lands near the public collecting areas. Jasper is predominantly found in the eastern parts of Oregon, such as the Sherman County, Deschutes River, Malheur County, or the Willamette Valley, specifically the local river. Prior to the wildfire outbreak, we were south near Salem. Feel free to ask a question or post a picture. Primarily consisting of flat gravel bars, it is a rockhound sandbox. Sweet Home is called rockhounding country for a reason. What rocks can you expect to find: Agates, jasper, multi-colored rocks, and even chunks of petrified wood. amzn_assoc_title = ""; The locations and information contained in this article are primarily derived from academic papers, online resources, and other outside sources. Silicified petrified wood, blue and carnelian agates, geodes, and colorful jasper may be found in the gravel bed along the Calapooia River Bank. Counties: Clackamas, Marion, Polk, Benton, Linn amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; What rocks can you find: Volcanic rocks, including agates, jasper, geodes, carnelian, and petrified wood. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "false"; This well known area for rockhounding is found on Highway 101, tucked in between mileposts 132 and 133. Nearly every ocean beach is a great destination for agate, jasper, and moonstone collecting, and the river and stream beds in the area are also great places to check. These two locations are also legal for rockhounds to collect. This is especially true if you want to collect in certain places such as federal lands, or parks. Road Access: Maintained. You can access this beach from Highway 101, from places such as Roads End State Park, D River Wayside State Park, Siletz Bay Park, Fogarty State Park, Otter Rock, and Devils Punch Bowl State Park, Beverly Beach State Park, Lost Creek, Ona State Park, or Seal Rock State Recreation Park. Arsenopyrite, Azurite, Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla, Galena, Gold, Malachite, Pyrite, etc. Tips for finding the best rocks: When the water is low, ford the stream to locate newly exposed gravel beds for your best chance to discover collectible rocks. Where can I reach you? When to find the best rocks:Wading in shallow water is especially effective after falling from a strong flow when the river is down. The Juniper Ridge Opal Mine is also famous for its many-colored opals. For example, the Willamette River, or the Calapooia River, is abundant in agates, jasper, geodes, carnelian, or petrified wood. Now lets see what crystals can you find in Oregon. 5 Crucial Factors of Obsidian Value: Whats Obsidian Worth? Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Opal, Thundereggs, Agate (sagenitic), Chalcedony, Jasper (orbicular), Moonstone, Geodes, Agate, Calcite, Heulandite, Jasper, Malachite, Mesolite, Quartz crystals, Agate (plume agate), Carnelian, Jasper, Chalcedony. In general the best time to rockhound any beach on the Oregon coast is in late fall, winter, and early spring. Rocks & Minerals: Carnelian and plum agates, jasper" It begins at the confluence of the North Fork Alsea River and the South Fork Alsea River and ends in Alsea Bay, a wide estuary at Waldport. Do Rocks Have DNA? From Sweet Home, drive onto US-20 East/Main Street for about 19 miles to Quartzville Road, turn left onto Quartzville Road and continue roughly 13 miles. Tools:Geology pick That being said, make sure you plan your trip time accordingly. Locations: Quartzville Creek Recreation Corridor from Rocky Top Bridge to Yellowbotom Recreation Site. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. The best places to rockhound in Southwest Oregon are the ocean beaches and the gravels of area rivers and streams. Many interesting rocks are to be found in Oregon. Interactive Map of the Oregon Wildlands Act of 2019. Tip: Check out my Complete Rock Tumbling Guide to make your rocks and gemstones really shine! Area surfaces around Warm Springs Reservoir, Area around Ironside and Malheur Reservoir, Entire length of Succor Creek, near Rockvill, Rockhounding on Public Land: Laws and Regulations, Can You Collect Rocks in State Parks? Find out more in the article below:Do Rocks Have DNA? im willing to go w/ you to find some. There is no rockhounding allowed at McKercher County Park due to Linn County regulations. Areas in Ochoco National Forest are best for collectors hoping to find thundereggs on their own. The Marys River Watershed encompasses 310 square miles along the east side of the Coast Range in western Oregon. In this area, you will find gold, pyrite, agate, jasper, quartz, and petrified wood. The North and South Fork of the Santiam River in Linn can also be a nice place to find agates, jasper, or petrified wood. Northeastern Oregon is one of the largest basalt lava regions in the entire world and, as a result, is home to highly productive rockhounding locations. 6 6 6 comments Best Add a Comment TheMacgyver2 3 yr. ago Now that weve covered some of the most awesome rocks in Oregon, and the rocks from sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous classes. Unfortunately for rockhounds, the law prohibits them from publishing their names or contact information online. It, along with josephinite, is officially Oregons twin minerals. How to get there: Take from Corvallis to OR-34 E, travel 15 miles to OR-20 E, then 16 miles to Sweet Home. The primary specimen which you can find on the beaches here are agates. Tools:Geology pick Expect widespread flooding along Willamette from the town of Riverside upstream to Buena Vista downstream . Now that you know where to find sedimentary rocks in Oregon, lets talk about igneous rocks. Waterfront Home for Sale in Linn County: Spread out on your 6.23 ac property w/ seasonal creek. Calapooia River is a good location of normal precipitation. . Tools:Geology pick I'm heading to the Sweet Home area this weekend. The Ochoco National Forest, the Succor Creek Canyon, and the high desert near Prineville and Madras cities are also great spots to find Oregons famous thundereggs. Calapooia river Last summer my buddy and I went above the gate and found plenty of 6 inch cutties. The areas surrounding the South Santiam River, the Calapooia River, and Quartzville creek (all of these are about an hour southeast of Salem) are popular with rockhounders and folks who pan for gold as well. Devil's Staircase Wilderness 2019. Rockhounds can collect a wide variety of rocks and minerals including Oregons famous thundereggs, agates, and sunstone. You can go east onto OR-20 towards Sisters, OR, and follow the signs straight into the right area. So come to Corvallis, spend a few days and enjoy the magnificent scenery while having fun in a rockhounds paradise. The central part of the state is home to world-class thundereggs, a favorite of collectors. They were a blast on our dry flies. Otter Rock is easily accessible and you are free to beachcomb there with little restrictions or private property. There are just a few public spots to access the river and creek because of private land and fish habitat. In its upper reaches, it passes through parts of the Willamette National Forest. If you are interested in checking out the best book about rockhounding in Oregon you can find it by clickinghere(Amazon link). Fogarty beach is the best place ever for agates fossils and petrified wood. One of the most common questions rockhounds have is whether or not they are allowed to collect at a certain location. moonshiner: if you are interested contact me a thomastaylor9520@gmail.com or text me at 1 (276)835-4339 Jun 5, 2022 at 2:10pm. Also, sunny, wintry days may be less crowded. The river and stream beds contain all manner of quartz family gemstones including agates and jasper, while certain area hills and buttes are known for their opals. - Wikipedia. Collectors have the opportunity to find beautiful agates, amethysts, garnets, jaspers, opals, and even the occasional nugget of gold. Other places of interest within an hours drive are Sunnyside County Park and McKeercher County Park. Oregon is probably the best rockhounding state in all of the United States. On Wikipedia. From Sweet Home, travel onto OR 228 to Upper Callapooia Drive and turn left. Topics include outings and trips, polishing, tumbling, cabochons, slabs and specimens. The Devils Punch Bowl can be very dangerous during high tide, so you must plan your trip to this site well. This is right next to the Cascadia Day-Use Area, where you can visit the Short Bridge, one of Oregons oldest covered bridges. Check out the article below and find out where to go:9 Best Places to Dig and Find Crystals in the USA + Useful Tips. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including cutthroat trout, chinook salmon, steelhead trout, rainbow trout and coho salmon here. The best places to find thundereggs in Oregon are in the creeks and hills of the central part of the state, especially in Crook County. Here, several places are available for rockhounds to explore for a variety of specimens. washington commanders schedule 2021-2022 . Contact your local BLM office for land information or maps. ET on Monday. Often, these have the best opportunities to discover gold flakes (or, sigh, pyrite) but have the thrill of discovering glistening golden flakes. If you ever go to the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, keep your hands in your pocket, as collecting fossils there is strictly forbidden. Though there are many locations listed here, this list is far from exhaustive. Clackamette Park, on the northern edge of the Clackamas River, is great for relaxing, swimming, and playing with your family also. Rockhounding Around The WorldScience QuestionsLearn About Different Kinds of Rocks, About UsPrivacy PolicyTerms Of UseArchives, Hunting Rocks On Our North Fork Camping Trip (Near Oakridge), A Guide To Cummins Creek (Oregon Coast Rockhounding), Fossil Hunting Behind The Wheeler High School, Rockhounding Near Roseburg, Oregon: 6 Places To Hunt Rocks, Crystals, and Fossils, Rockhounding Near Sacramento, California (A Visiting Rock Hunters Guide). Jaspers, agates including carnelian and plume may be found in the gravel bars of the Nehalem River and Clear Creek and on the hillsides above the rivers. I recall reading in a book about rockhounding in Oregon that much of the Calapooia river is owned by a lumber company, but granted the book was published a few years back. Along upper Callapooia Drive, you can also find small pullouts where you can park and walk down to the rivers bank. The Calapooia flows generally northwest from its source in the Cascade Range near Tidbits Mountain. Exquisite 4 bed, 3 bath home has new luxury vinyl plank floor, paint upstairs & downstairs, formal dining, kitchen w/ eating bar & bay window to view in-ground pool w/ wrap-around deck & covered outdoor entertaining area, living room w/ wood-burning fireplace, large family room w/ slider & private deck. You can also try and hunt for this beautiful rock in the hills of Glass Buttes, south of Highway 20, and located 80 miles east of Bend county. Updates on road closings are posted on the Linn County website. Follow posted signage and always get permission from the landowner to collect. You can find obsidian, especially in central Oregon, around 30 miles southeast of Bend, at Paulina Lake which is part of the Newberry Volcano. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Linn County The county of Linn, Oregon, has numerous interesting places where rockhounds can fill their hunting desires. I Have to Disappoint You, But.. TIP: Obsidian is a valuable material with intriguing textures. There are a few spots along the rivers with riverbank access and good gravel deposits. Press J to jump to the feed. Crucial Factors of Petrified Wood Value: Whats the Worth? Our state also has a plethora of fossils including crinoids, clams, trilobites, snails, corals, and at least one dinosaur. Accessibility guidelines and restrictions change. Down below you can see in the table what kind of igneous rocks are in Oregon, and where you can find them. When to go: Visit when the water flow is down after flowing strongly to expose the best sand bars and newly exposed rocks. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Rockhounds from all over the country make the trip to the Oregon coast to find their own agates, often in the winter in order to take advantage of the frequent winter storms which tend to churn up new material. You will find soapstones on the north road, just cross the Applegate Dam and go for around 8 miles towards the Squaw lakes trailhead. Oregon hosts numerous unique locations for rockhounds such as Bear Creek, Eagle Rock, Fischer Canyon, Whistler, White Fir Springs, Hampton Butte, and the Malheur and Jefferson counties. Still did not find the answer to your answers about rockhounding in Oregon? Specimens may become depleted from other collectors, the location may have been built on or altered, locality information in literature may be inaccurate, and property ownership may have changed hands. Rock collectors will have lots of opportunities to find agate, jasper, petrified wood, and fossils. Most of these areas are also great tourist stops with killer scenery, historical monuments, and several swimming holes, so you and your loved ones can make the most out of the occasion. Determining the land status and minerals' collection rules at the site is your responsibility. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. From Scio, take Highway 226 east for 9.2 miles, then bear right to Thomas Creek Drive for about 4.5 miles. This website also participates in Google Adsense. TIP:A lot of fossils come from prehistoric animals. It is important to note that sunstones come in almost all colors, and it is the official gemstone of Oregon since 1987. Drive past Green Peter Dam, then Whitcomb Creek County Park, and take the first right. It is though a great place to visit. Jasper is commonly found near rivers since they are carried by the water from volcanic origins. They planned to hike in, look for rocks, and spend the night. For additional reading, Id highly recommend these books you can find on Amazon: Please remember that rock collecting locations are constantly changing. Mar 20, 2022 at 6:41am. I Have to Disappoint You, But.. TIP:Petrified wood is a common gemstone in Oregon so it is quite easy to find it. Another great place in Crook county is the Dendrite Butte. Still, we should also mention the Oceanside town near Tillamook County and Gold Beach located between the Pacific Ocean and the Rogue River. Public access to the river is limited in some places, but there are still several collecting sites available to explore. 6. These locations are where you will have an exciting rockhounding day: So maybe it is time to get down to a different rockhounding, the search for rocks from a pan, yep, panning for gold. Some great areas reside here as well, such as the Coos Bay and Brandon, Port Orford, Gold Beach, Merchants Beach, and Bookings. Here, you can find agate, jasper, petrified wood, or even fossilized agate. How to get there: Thomas Creek is about 30 miles from Corvallis.