Fossils near Burns, OR

13 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Burns report fossil. The closest is Stinkingwater Creek, about 30 miles out (37 min drive).

Fossil collecting spots cluster around exposed sedimentary rock: road cuts, creek banks, quarries, and badlands where erosion keeps bringing fresh material to the surface.

Map of 13 fossil collecting spots within 150 miles of Burns, Oregon

Closest fossils spots to Burns

Types of fossils reported near Burns

Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.

Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Burns

Sorted by distance from Burns. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.

SpotCountyMineralsCoordinatesAccess
Stinkingwater CreekHarney County43.6666, -118.4670Check locally
North Beede Reservoir - Site 2Harney County43.7617, -118.4851Check locally
North Beede Reservoir - Site 1US 20Harney County43.7548, -118.4754Check locally
Delintment LakeNational Forest Development Road 43Harney County43.9514, -119.5825Check locally
Warm Springs Reservoir - Site 1Warm Springs RoadHarney County43.6450, -118.3052Check locally
Warm Springs Reservoir - Site 2Warm Springs RoadHarney County43.6395, -118.2855Check locally
Warm Springs Reservoir - Site 3Juntura-Riverside RoadMalheur County43.5999, -118.1503Check locally
Warm Springs Reservoir - Site 4Juntura-Riverside RoadMalheur County43.6073, -118.1498Check locally
Beulah ReservoirBeulah RoadMalheur County43.9242, -118.1471Check locally
John Day RiverJohn Day HighwayGrant County44.4968, -119.5954Public
Pike CreekPike Creek TrailHarney County42.5769, -118.5306Check locally
John Day River & StreamsZen RoadWasco County44.8443, -120.4544Public
Wheeler High School Fossil BedsEast B StreetWheeler County45.0020, -120.2142Paid / fee

Fossils near Burns FAQ

Where can I find fossils near Burns?+
13 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Burns report fossil. The closest is Stinkingwater Creek in Harney County, roughly 30 miles away (37 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Burns?+
2 of the 13 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible, and 1 is a fee-dig site where you pay for access and keep your finds. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
Is it legal to keep fossils I find?+
On federal land, common invertebrate and plant fossils (shells, corals, trilobites, leaf prints) may be collected casually for personal use. Vertebrate fossils (bone, teeth, anything with a backbone) are protected on federal land and need a research permit. Private land follows the landowner's permission. When in doubt, photograph it, note the location, and ask the managing agency.
How far from Burns do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 30 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 113 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.

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