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Warm Springs Reservoir: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Harney County, Oregon

Permission requiredBest spot5 mineralsHarney County, OregonUpdated July 2026
Minerals reported
5
Elevation
3,390 ft
Best months
February to June

The high desert around Warm Springs Reservoir, on the Malheur River southeast of Burns, exposes weathered volcanic ground that yields agate, jasper, and petrified wood across public BLM land. Collectors find white, gray, and mossy agates alongside red and yellow jasper on the surface, with quality improving on the more remote ground away from the main roads. The reservoir lies in the broader Harney Basin rockhounding country that has drawn collectors to eastern Oregon for decades. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, jasper, petrified wood, black agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Permission required before collecting

State
Oregon
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Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

Access note: The collecting ground is BLM public land with casual collecting allowed up to the standard personal-use limit and no fee. Dirt roads south of Highway 20 turn slick and impassable after rain, so a high-clearance vehicle, spare tire, and full water and fuel are advisable given the remoteness.

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.

Best time to visit Warm Springs Reservoir

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 93°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 21°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, RIVERSIDE 7 SSW station (12 mi away).

Geology at Warm Springs Reservoir

This spot sits on ground mapped as water. Petrified wood typically shows up as durable float on slopes and in washes cut into ground like this.

Mapped unit
water
Elevation
3,390 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.

Today's weather

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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:

Found at Warm Springs Reservoir

Each name 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 Warm Springs Reservoir.

Across the state line from Warm Springs Reservoir

Warm Springs Reservoir 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.

Warm Springs Reservoir FAQ

Where is Warm Springs Reservoir?+
Warm Springs Reservoir is in Harney County, Oregon, at 43.62157, -118.24346.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Warm Springs Reservoir?+
Warm Springs Reservoir is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Petrified Wood, Black Agate.
Is collecting allowed at Warm Springs Reservoir?+
Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
What tools should I bring to Warm Springs Reservoir?+
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 Warm Springs Reservoir?+
The most comfortable months at Warm Springs Reservoir are February to June.
How do I get to Warm Springs Reservoir?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 43.62157, -118.24346 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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