Clackamas River: Petrified Wood & Cinnabar Rockhounding in Clackamas County, Oregon

Updated August 2026

Clackamas River is a mapped rockhounding spot in Clackamas County, Oregon. Reported finds include petrified wood, cinnabar, agate, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Check locally
County: Clackamas County
State: Oregon
Nearest road: Forest Road 45
Coordinates: 45.19199, -122.21160

Geology at Clackamas River

This spot sits on surficial deposits; Alluvial deposits, mapped as mixed alluvium that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: surficial deposits; Alluvial deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: mixed alluvium
Elevation: 750 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 Clackamas River

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 48°F in winter to 81°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ESTACADA 2 SE station (7 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Confirm rules before collecting

Land status here is not confirmed. Verify with the managing agency before collecting — federal, state, and tribal rules differ.

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 Clackamas River

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 Clackamas River.

Across the state line from Clackamas River

Clackamas River 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.

Clackamas River FAQ

Where is Clackamas River?+

Clackamas River is in Clackamas County, Oregon, at 45.19199, -122.21160. Nearest road: Forest Road 45.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Clackamas River?+

Clackamas River is reported to produce Petrified Wood, Cinnabar, Agate, Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Clackamas River?+

Confirm rules before collecting. Land status here is not confirmed. Verify with the managing agency before collecting — federal, state, and tribal rules differ. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Clackamas River?+

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 Clackamas River?+

Clackamas River is workable year-round.

How do I get to Clackamas River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 45.19199, -122.21160 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Forest Road 45.

More rockhounding in Oregon

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Open Clackamas River on the map

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