Crane Creek: Thundereggs Rockhounding in Lake County, Oregon

Updated August 2026

Crane Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Lake County, Oregon. Reported finds include thundereggs. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Check locally
County: Lake County
State: Oregon
Nearest road: Forest Road 3900-014
Coordinates: 42.10300, -120.26500

Geology at Crane Creek

This spot sits on volcanic rocks, mapped as rhyolite flows and rhyodacite flows that formed roughly 23 to 3 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: volcanic rocks
Age: 23–3 Ma (Miocene to Pliocene)
Rock types: rhyolite flows and rhyodacite flows
Elevation: 6,090 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 Crane Creek

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 17°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LAKEVIEW 2 NNW 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 Crane Creek

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Thundereggs Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Crane Creek.

Across the state line from Crane Creek

Crane Creek 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.

Crane Creek FAQ

Where is Crane Creek?+

Crane Creek is in Lake County, Oregon, at 42.10300, -120.26500. Nearest road: Forest Road 3900-014.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Crane Creek?+

Crane Creek is reported to produce Thundereggs.

Is collecting allowed at Crane Creek?+

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 Crane Creek?+

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 Crane Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Crane Creek are March to October.

How do I get to Crane Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.10300, -120.26500 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Forest Road 3900-014.

More rockhounding in Oregon

See all 177 Oregon spots →

Open Crane Creek on the map

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