Durkee: Quartz Rockhounding in Baker County, Oregon

Updated June 2026

Durkee is a mapped rockhounding spot in Baker County, Oregon. Reported finds include quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Baker County
State: Oregon
Postcode: 97905
Coordinates: 44.56183, -117.42248

Geology at Durkee

This spot sits on sedimentary rocks, mapped as tuffaceous silt, light; rhyolitic ash pumice clasts, tuffaceous sand, and light; rhyolitic ash pumice clasts; lithology: arkosic some that formed roughly 23 to 5 million years ago. Cavities and seams in volcanic rock like this are the kind of setting where quartz and amethyst crystals tend to grow.

Mapped unit: sedimentary rocks
Age: 23–5 Ma (Miocene)
Rock types: tuffaceous silt, light; rhyolitic ash pumice clasts, tuffaceous sand, and light; rhyolitic ash pumice clasts; lithology: arkosic some
Elevation: 2,630 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.

Best time to visit Durkee

Best months: March to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HUNTINGTON station (16 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.

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 Durkee

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

Quartz Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Durkee.

Across the state line from Durkee

Durkee 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.

Durkee FAQ

Where is Durkee?+

Durkee is in Baker County, Oregon, at 44.56183, -117.42248.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Durkee?+

Durkee is reported to produce Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Durkee?+

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 Durkee?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Durkee?+

The most comfortable months at Durkee are March to June.

How do I get to Durkee?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.56183, -117.42248 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Oregon

See all 181 Oregon spots →

Open Durkee on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.