Brogan: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Malheur County, Oregon

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Malheur County
State: Oregon
Nearest road: John Day Highway
Coordinates: 44.23196, -117.51059

Geology at Brogan

This spot sits on sedimentary rocks, mapped as tuff, silicic volcanic ash clasts, tuffaceous clay, light gray, yellow; silicic volcanic ash clasts, conglomerate, pre-cenozoic igneous metamorphic rocks basalt rhyolite clasts, tuffaceous siltstone, yellow, light reddish brown; silicic volcanic ash clasts, diatomite, and tuffaceous sandstone that formed roughly 23 to 5 million years ago. Petrified wood typically comes from volcanic ash beds like the ones associated with this ground, where buried forests were slowly replaced by silica.

Mapped unit: sedimentary rocks
Age: 23–5 Ma (Miocene)
Rock types: tuff, silicic volcanic ash clasts, tuffaceous clay, light gray, yellow; silicic volcanic ash clasts, conglomerate, pre-cenozoic igneous metamorphic rocks basalt rhyolite clasts, tuffaceous siltstone, yellow, light reddish brown; silicic volcanic ash clasts, diatomite, and tuffaceous sandstone
Elevation: 2,640 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 Brogan

Best months: March to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HUNTINGTON station (15 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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 Brogan

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 Brogan.

Across the state line from Brogan

Brogan 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.

Brogan FAQ

Where is Brogan?+

Brogan is in Malheur County, Oregon, at 44.23196, -117.51059. Nearest road: John Day Highway.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Brogan?+

Brogan is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Jasper, Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Brogan?+

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 Brogan?+

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 Brogan?+

The most comfortable months at Brogan are March to June.

How do I get to Brogan?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.23196, -117.51059 in Google Maps. The nearest road is John Day Highway.

More rockhounding in Oregon

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Open Brogan on the map

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