Where to Find Obsidian
20 mapped obsidian spots across 6 regions in 2 countries. Pick a region for its local guide, or browse every spot below. Obsidian is volcanic glass, usually black, sometimes mahogany, snowflake, or rainbow. The big U.S. localities are Glass Buttes in Oregon, Davis Creek in California, and several Idaho and Nevada areas.
Every mapped obsidian spot
Best spotBlack Rock DesertPershing County, NevadaPublic access · Opalized Wood, Petrified Wood, Agate +9- Best spotGem HillKern County, CaliforniaPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +2
- Best spotGlass Butte Recreational Rockhound AreaLake County, OregonPublic access · Obsidian, Silver Sheen Obsidian, Lace Obsidian +1
- Best spotJemez National Recreation AreaSandoval County, New MexicoPublic access · Obsidian, Opalized Wood
- Best spotGlass MountainSiskiyou County, CaliforniaPublic access · Obsidian
Agate Point (Tchesinkut Lake)Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, British ColumbiaCheck locally · Agate, Jasper, Obsidian +4- Montezuma PeakEsmeralda County, NevadaCheck locally · Chalcedony, Chert, Jasper +3
- Pike CreekHarney County, OregonCheck locally · Thunderegg, Jasper, Agate +3
Los LunasValencia County, New MexicoPublic access · Red Agate, Banded Agate, Apache Tear +2- Santa Fe National ForestSanta Fe County, New MexicoPublic access · Agate, Apache Tear, Jasper +1
- Scotty’s JunctionNye County, NevadaPublic access · Arrowhead, Obsidian, Apache Tear +1
- SparksWashoe County, NevadaPublic access · Agate, Garnet, Idocrase +1
- Amboy CraterSan Bernardino County, CaliforniaPermission required · Boltwoodite, Jasper, Obsidian
- Mud RidgeHarney County, OregonCheck locally · Obsidian, Snowflake Obsidian
- Promontory PointBox Elder County, UtahPublic access · Obsidian, Variscite
- VyaWashoe County, NevadaCheck locally · Common Opal, Obsidian
- Davis Creek MercantileModoc County, CaliforniaFee dig · Obsidian
- Las CrucesDoña Ana County, New MexicoPublic access · Obsidian
- Little High Rock CanyonHumboldt County, NevadaPermission required · Obsidian
- Modoc ObsidianModoc County, CaliforniaPublic access · Obsidian
Top regions for obsidian
United States
19 spots · 5 regionsCanada
1 spots · 1 regionsObsidian rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find obsidian?+
Nevada, California, New Mexico have the highest concentrations of obsidian in this list. Quality and access vary by area, so open the linked region pages for a detailed view.
How many obsidian rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
20 mapped spots across 6 regions in 2 countries. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect obsidian on public land?+
In the U.S., casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like obsidian is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Rules differ by country and region, so always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify obsidian in the field?+
Field identification of obsidian comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.
Hunt obsidian on the map
Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.
