Merchants Beach: Agate & Jasper Rockhounding in Coos County, Oregon

Updated August 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Coos County
State: Oregon
Coordinates: 43.23691, -124.39180

Geology at Merchants Beach

This spot sits on surficial deposits; Beach deposits, mapped as sand that formed within roughly the last 12,000 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; Beach deposits
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Rock types: sand
Elevation: 0 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 Merchants Beach

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 52°F in winter to 64°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, COOS BAY 8 SW station (4 mi away).

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 Merchants Beach

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 Merchants Beach.

Merchants Beach FAQ

Where is Merchants Beach?+

Merchants Beach is in Coos County, Oregon, at 43.23691, -124.39180.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Merchants Beach?+

Merchants Beach is reported to produce Agate, Jasper, Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Merchants Beach?+

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 Merchants Beach?+

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 Merchants Beach?+

Merchants Beach is workable year-round.

How do I get to Merchants Beach?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.23691, -124.39180 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Oregon

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Open Merchants Beach on the map

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