Recreation area

Ochoco Rockhounding

Oregon — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Each year, thousands of rockhounds, pebble puppies and persons interested in looking for rocks visit Crook County, Oregon. The geology of central Oregon is unique with a wide variety of rock types in a relatively small area. Crook County is rightfully known as the rockhound capital of the world. There are areas that are free to the public in search of agate, jasper, limbcast, petrified wood, moss, dendrite and angel wing. Rockhounding areas are managed by both the Bureau of Land Management and the Ochoco National Forest. Please note that 'rockhound collection sites' are for personal use only; commercial resale is not allowed. The material sought by rockhounds in central Oregon is so diverse that it would take more space than is available here just to cover it briefly. The six major categories of material available include: Agate, Jasper, Limb Casts, Obsidian, Petrified Wood, and Thunder Eggs. Less common rocks and minerals found in central Oregon include opal, amethyst, gem quality calcite, cinnabar, selenite (gypsum), and amygdaloid nodules.   Rockhounding Links     Geologic History in Central Oregon     Rockhounding Sites in Central Oregon   Rockhounding, Safety & Public Land Use     Rockhounding, Safety & Public Land Use     Rocks, Minerals & Public Land Use

Getting there

Maps Rockhounds and 'pebble puppies' should get a Central Oregon Rockhounding Map from our Maps & Publications page.  To purchase the rockhound map or for additional information on the Central Oregon area, contact the following offices.  Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce 185 NE 10th Street Prineville, Oregon 97754 (541) 447-6304 visitprineville.org/vacationing/rock-hounding/    Bureau of Land Management 3050 NE Third St. Prineville, Oregon 97754 (541) 416-6700 www.or.blm.gov/Prineville    Ochoco National Forest 3160 NE Third St. Prineville, Oregon 97754 (541) 416-6500 www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco

Explore more Oregon camping

Ochoco Rockhounding doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby Oregon campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.