Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area: Oregon Sunstone Rockhounding in Lake County, Oregon
- Mineral reported
- 1
- Elevation
- 4,630 ft
- Best months
- February to November
The Bureau of Land Management set aside this stretch of Rabbit Basin as a free public collection area for Oregon sunstone, the official state gemstone, with no claim, fee, or permit required. The gems are copper-bearing labradorite crystals that weather out of basalt, and collectors surface pick or screen for clear, champagne, and occasionally red or green schiller stones. Reported finds include oregon sunstone. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Plan your visit
Generally open to casual rockhounding
- County
- Lake County
- State
- Oregon
- Nearest road
- BLM Road 6115
- Coordinates
- 42.72357, -119.86072
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: Free BLM collection area in Rabbit Basin about 23 miles north of Plush via Hogback Road, County Road 3-11, and BLM Roads 6155 and 6115. Private mining claims border and dot the surrounding basin, so stay within the posted public area boundaries. Remote high desert with no water or services.
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 Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area
Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)
Best months: February to November. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 44°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 26°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HART MTN REFUGE station (16 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Geology at Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area
This spot sits on Columbia River Basalt Group; Steens Basalt, mapped as basalt flows and feldspar olivine phenocrysts; fracture fill: fibrous calcite white calcite chabazite analcite natrolite stilbite zeolite that formed roughly 23 to 5 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this weathers into rocky slopes and float, and fresh exposures in cuts and drainages are usually the most productive places to look.
- Mapped unit
- Columbia River Basalt Group; Steens Basalt
- Age
- 23–5 Ma (Miocene)
- Rock types
- basalt flows and feldspar olivine phenocrysts; fracture fill: fibrous calcite white calcite chabazite analcite natrolite stilbite zeolite
- Elevation
- 4,630 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
Is today a good day to go?
The app shows live weather, recent rain, and a daily rockhounding score for Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area.
Get the appSources & 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 Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area
Each name 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 Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area.
- Dust Devil MineLake County, Oregon · 1 mi awaySunstone
- Spectrum Sunstone MineLake County, Oregon · 1 mi awaySunstone
- Double Eagle MineLake County, Oregon · 2 mi awaySunstone
- West Side Warner PeakLake County, Oregon · 18 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Geode
- Flook LakeLake County, Oregon · 20 mi awayAgate, Jasper
- Warner CanyonLake County, Oregon · 41 mi awayPetrified Wood, Quartz
- LakeviewLake County, Oregon · 44 mi awayAgate, Jasper, Geode
- Crane CreekLake County, Oregon · 48 mi awayThunderegg
Across the state line from Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area
Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area 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.
- Area around Goose LakeModoc County, California · 61 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Fandango PassModoc County, California · 66 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Davis Creek MercantileModoc County, California · 73 mi awayObsidian
- Kokopelli Opals MineHumboldt County, Nevada · 74 mi awayOpal
- Bonanza Opal MinesHumboldt County, Nevada · 75 mi away
- Royal Peacock Opal MinesHumboldt County, Nevada · 76 mi awayOpal
Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area FAQ
Where is Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area?+
Is collecting allowed at Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area?+
What tools should I bring to Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area?+
When is the best time to visit Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area?+
How do I get to Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area?+
More rockhounding in Oregon
See all 181 Oregon spots →
Open Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
