Maury Mountains: Moss Agate Rockhounding in Crook County, Oregon

Public accessBest spot1 mineralCrook County, OregonUpdated July 2026

Mineral reported: 1
Elevation: 4,930 ft
Best months: March to November

The Maury Mountains in the Ochoco National Forest hold a long-worked moss agate locality, signed by the Forest Service and open to casual collecting without a permit. The agate carries green, red, and golden moss inclusions and has supplied central Oregon lapidaries for decades. Reported finds include moss agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Crook County
State: Oregon
Nearest road: Forest Road 1690
Coordinates: 44.07787, -120.34792

Get directions View on Google Maps

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Access note: Designated rockhounding area in the Ochoco National Forest, about 39 miles southeast of Prineville. From Highway 380 at milepost 33, take Drake Creek Road (Forest Road 16) 4.4 miles, then Forest Road 1680 for 1.6 miles and Forest Road 1690 for 0.4 miles; bear right at the fork for the parking area.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Best time to visit Maury Mountains

38°J

43°F

50°M

57°A

66°M

75°J

86°J

85°A

77°S

62°O

46°N

37°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BARNES STN station (11 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Maury Mountains

This spot sits on John Day/Clarno Group; Clarno Formation, mapped as basalt flows, andesite flows, mudflow, and tuff that formed roughly 56 to 23 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this is where agate, jasper, and other chalcedony typically form, filling old gas pockets and fracture seams in the flow rock.

Mapped unit: John Day/Clarno Group; Clarno Formation
Age: 56–23 Ma (Eocene to Oligocene)
Rock types: basalt flows, andesite flows, mudflow, and tuff
Elevation: 4,930 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Today's weather

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Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

BLM Oregon/Washington, Rockhounding & mineral material
Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI)
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, beach collecting rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Maury Mountains

Each name opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Moss Agate Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Maury Mountains.

Carey Agate BedsCrook County, Oregon · 5 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
Dendrite ButteCrook County, Oregon · 15 mi awayLimb Cast, Opalized Wood, Petrified Wood
S Fork Crooked RiverCrook County, Oregon · 15 mi awayAgatized Limb Cast
Bear CreekCrook County, Oregon · 15 mi awayPetrified Wood
Hampton ButteDeschutes County, Oregon · 16 mi awayPetrified Wood, Jasper, Agate
Bear Creek - Site 1Crook County, Oregon · 16 mi awayPetrified Wood
Sheep creekCrook County, Oregon · 16 mi awayMoss Agate
Congleton HollowCrook County, Oregon · 17 mi awayPetrified Wood, Limb Cast, Opalized Wood

Maury Mountains FAQ

Where is Maury Mountains?+

Maury Mountains is in Crook County, Oregon, at 44.07787, -120.34792. Nearest road: Forest Road 1690.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Maury Mountains?+

Maury Mountains is reported to produce Moss Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Maury Mountains?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Maury Mountains?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Maury Mountains?+

The most comfortable months at Maury Mountains are March to November.

How do I get to Maury Mountains?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.07787, -120.34792 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Forest Road 1690.