Opal Butte
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Part of the Blue Mountain Range in northeastern Oregon (Morrow County). Known to geology enthusiasts since the late 19th century for its remarkable variety of opals including fire, jelly, hyalite, rainbow, blue, and dendritic opal. Also produces Oregon jade and agatized petrified wood. The area is primarily private timber property; the road up to the peak is public. Always obey 'No Trespassing' signs. Collecting status uncertain — verify access before visiting.
🪨 What You Can Find Here
Fire Opal
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Jelly Opal
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Hyalite Opal
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Rainbow Opal
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Blue Opal
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Dendritic Opal
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Petrified Wood
Ancient wood turned to stone. Arizona's Petrified Forest and Washington's Ginkgo Petrified Forest are world-famous.
Also found at:
📍 Nearby Locations in Oregon
Glass Buttes
Burns, Oregon · BLM Land
BLM area between Bend and Burns on Hwy 20, considered the largest obsidian deposit in the world. Access via gravel road at milepost 77 (about 4 miles ...
Juniper Ridge
Brothers, Oregon · BLM Land
BLM collecting area in central Oregon's high desert, northeast of Brothers near the Ochoco National Forest. Known for thundereggs, agate, and jasper. ...
Maury Mountain Thundereggs
Prineville, Oregon · BLM Land
BLM and Ochoco National Forest area off Highway 380 for collecting thundereggs and a wide variety of agates. Produces green, red, brown and golden mos...
Polka Dot Agate Mine
Nyssa, Oregon · Fee Dig
Fee-dig mine on the Priday Agate Beds in the Central Oregon desert near Ashwood, known for unique polka dot agate (orbicular jasper) with round patter...
Priday Agate Beds
Madras, Oregon · Fee Dig
Classic Oregon collecting site for blue agate, plume agate, and thundereggs. Located in the rich agate beds of central Oregon. Discovered in 1928 by t...
Richardson Rock Ranch
Madras, Oregon · Fee Dig
Oregon's most famous thunderegg collecting ranch. Multiple dig sites on the property. Pay per bucket. Oregon's state rock.
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Opal Butte with the right equipment.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35