Mud Ridge: Obsidian & Snowflake Obsidian Rockhounding in Harney County, Oregon

Updated August 2026

Mud Ridge is a mapped rockhounding spot in Harney County, Oregon. Reported finds include obsidian, snowflake obsidian. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Check locally
County: Harney County
State: Oregon
Coordinates: 43.64273, -119.16020

Geology at Mud Ridge

This spot sits on High Lava Plains Volcanic Province, mapped as andesite flows and dark gray that formed roughly 23 to 5 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this weathers into rocky slopes and float, and fresh exposures in cuts and drainages are usually the most productive places to look.

Mapped unit: High Lava Plains Volcanic Province
Age: 23–5 Ma (Miocene)
Rock types: andesite flows and dark gray
Elevation: 4,730 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 Mud Ridge

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 14°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BURNS MUNI AP 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 Mud Ridge

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 Mud Ridge.

Mud Ridge FAQ

Where is Mud Ridge?+

Mud Ridge is in Harney County, Oregon, at 43.64273, -119.16020.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mud Ridge?+

Mud Ridge is reported to produce Obsidian, Snowflake Obsidian.

Is collecting allowed at Mud Ridge?+

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 Mud Ridge?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Mud Ridge?+

The most comfortable months at Mud Ridge are March to November.

How do I get to Mud Ridge?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.64273, -119.16020 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Oregon

See all 177 Oregon spots →

Open Mud Ridge on the map

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