Sixes River Recreation Area: Gold Prospecting in Curry County, Oregon

Updated August 2026

Sixes River Recreation Area is a mapped rockhounding spot in Curry County, Oregon. Reported finds include gold, agate, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Check locally
County: Curry County
State: Oregon
Nearest road: Sixes River Road
Coordinates: 42.80447, -124.30767

Geology at Sixes River Recreation Area

This spot sits on Sixes River Terrane, mapped as sandstone, dark gray, and brown that formed roughly 200 to 66 million years ago. In sedimentary country like this, any placer gold is typically recycled from older gravels, concentrating again in modern stream beds.

Mapped unit: Sixes River Terrane
Age: 200–66 Ma (Jurassic to Cretaceous)
Rock types: sandstone, dark gray, and brown
Elevation: 270 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 Sixes River Recreation Area

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 54°F in winter to 67°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PORT ORFORD #2 station (11 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 Sixes River Recreation Area

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 Sixes River Recreation Area.

Across the state line from Sixes River Recreation Area

Sixes River Recreation Area 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.

Sixes River Recreation Area FAQ

Where is Sixes River Recreation Area?+

Sixes River Recreation Area is in Curry County, Oregon, at 42.80447, -124.30767. Nearest road: Sixes River Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Sixes River Recreation Area?+

Sixes River Recreation Area is reported to produce Gold, Agate, Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Sixes River Recreation Area?+

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 Sixes River Recreation Area?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Sixes River Recreation Area?+

Sixes River Recreation Area is workable year-round.

How do I get to Sixes River Recreation Area?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.80447, -124.30767 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Sixes River Road.

More rockhounding in Oregon

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Open Sixes River Recreation Area on the map

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