Best spot

Orella: Fairburn Agate & Jasper Rockhounding in Dawes County, Nebraska

Updated July 2026

The heart of Nebraska rockhounding. The Orella badlands sit on the Oglala National Grassland, where erosion of the Oligocene White River beds spreads Nebraska blue agate, prairie agate (the state rock), Fairburn agate, carnelian, silicified ferns, and opalized wood across the surface. It is the rare Nebraska spot with genuinely clean public land under it. Reported finds include fairburn agate, jasper, carnelian, opalized wood, agatized wood, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Orella photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

The Oglala National Grassland near Orella, with White River badlands buttes on the horizon, Dawes County, Nebraska

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Dawes County
State: Nebraska
Nearest road: Sugar Loaf Road
Coordinates: 42.91786, -103.47246

Geology at Orella

This spot sits on White River Group, mapped as clay that formed roughly 34 to 23 million years ago. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: White River Group
Age: 34–23 Ma (Early Oligocene to Late Oligocene)
Rock types: clay
Elevation: 3,840 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.

Best time to visit Orella

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 90°F in midsummer and 38°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 8°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ARDMORE 1 NW station (12 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Orella

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 Orella.

Across the state line from Orella

Orella is close enough to the Nebraska border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Orella FAQ

Where is Orella?+

Orella is in Dawes County, Nebraska, at 42.91786, -103.47246. Nearest road: Sugar Loaf Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Orella?+

Orella is reported to produce Fairburn Agate, Jasper, Carnelian, Opalized Wood, Agatized Wood, Silicified Ferns, Chalcedony.

Is collecting allowed at Orella?+

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 Orella?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit Orella?+

The most comfortable months at Orella are March to November.

How do I get to Orella?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.91786, -103.47246 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Sugar Loaf Road.

More rockhounding in Nebraska

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