Warm Springs Reservoir — Rockhounding in Harney County, Oregon
The high desert around Warm Springs Reservoir, on the Malheur River southeast of Burns, exposes weathered volcanic ground that yields agate, jasper, and petrified wood across public BLM land. Collectors find white, gray, and mossy agates alongside red and yellow jasper on the surface, with quality improving on the more remote ground away from the main roads. The reservoir lies in the broader Harney Basin rockhounding country that has drawn collectors to eastern Oregon for decades. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, jasper, petrified wood, black agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Warm Springs Reservoir photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Warm Springs Reservoir in Harney County, Oregon
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Harney County
- State
- Oregon
- Coordinates
- 43.62157, -118.24346
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.
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.
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:
- 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 Warm Springs Reservoir
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Warm Springs Reservoir.
- Sylvies CanyonHarney County, Oregon · 46 mi awayWood Opal
- BroganMalheur County, Oregon · 56 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- Ironside and Malheur ReservoirMalheur County, Oregon · 58 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- Succor Creek General AreaTop pick in OregonMalheur County, Oregon · 60 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- Shirttail CreekBaker County, Oregon · 74 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- DurkeeBaker County, Oregon · 77 mi awayQuartz
- Orofino Mine areaGrant County, Oregon · 79 mi awayAgate, Jasper, Gold
- John Day RiverGrant County, Oregon · 90 mi awayFossils, Petrified Wood
Across the state line from Warm Springs Reservoir
Warm Springs Reservoir is close enough to the Oregon border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
- HomedaleOwyhee County, Idaho · 61 mi awayAgate, Plume Agate
- Succor CreekTop pick in IdahoOwyhee County, Idaho · 65 mi awayRed Agate, Green Agate
- Homedale (area)Owyhee County, Idaho · 67 mi awayAgate, Petrified Wood
- McBride CreekOwyhee County, Idaho · 68 mi awayPetrified Wood
- Little Squaw CreekOwyhee County, Idaho · 72 mi awayFire Opal
- Grouse CreekWashington County, Idaho · 74 mi awayBanded Agate, Iris Agate, Chalcedony
Warm Springs Reservoir FAQ
Why is Warm Springs Reservoir one of the best rockhounding spots in Oregon?+
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More rockhounding in Oregon
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