Wilson River: Agate & Carnelian Rockhounding in Tillamook County, Oregon
Updated July 2026
Gravel bars along the Wilson River carry the carnelian, agate, and jasper that the northern Oregon Coast Range is known for, restocked by every winter's high water. Highway 6 follows the river through Tillamook State Forest, and free day use areas such as Jones Creek put fresh gravel within a short walk of the pavement. Reported finds include agate, carnelian, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Wilson River photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Wilson River in Tillamook County, Oregon
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Tillamook County
- State
- Oregon
- Nearest road
- Wilson River Highway
- Coordinates
- 45.58940, -123.55880
Geology at Wilson River
This spot sits on surficial deposits; Alluvial deposits, mapped as mixed fluvial sediment that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Tough silica like agate, jasper, and chert typically weathers out of beds like these and collects as float in drainages and on deflation surfaces.
- Mapped unit
- surficial deposits; Alluvial deposits
- Age
- 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
- Rock types
- mixed fluvial sediment
- Elevation
- 610 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 Wilson River
Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 47°F in winter to 66°F in summer.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TILLAMOOK 6SE 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:
- 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 Wilson River
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 Wilson River.
- Clear CreekColumbia County, Oregon · 20 mi awayPlume Agate, Carnelian, Jasper
- Ocean beachTillamook County, Oregon · 20 mi awayAgate, Jasper, Bloodstone
- Nehalem River gravelsClatsop County, Oregon · 21 mi awayAgate, Carnelian, Jasper
- Short BeachTillamook County, Oregon · 21 mi awayAgate, Jasper
- Oceanside & Tunnel BeachesTillamook County, Oregon · 22 mi awayAgate, Jasper, Calcite
- Bob Straub State ParkTillamook County, Oregon · 35 mi awayAgate, Jasper, Bloodstone
- Columbia River shoreColumbia County, Oregon · 40 mi awayThomsonite
- Pacific Ocean beachesClatsop County, Oregon · 44 mi awayBloodstone, Jasper, Agate
Across the state line from Wilson River
Wilson River 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.
- KelsoCowlitz County, Washington · 47 mi awayAgate
- Brush PrairieClark County, Washington · 49 mi awayGold
- CamasClark County, Washington · 54 mi awayGold
- Long BeachPacific County, Washington · 59 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Quartz
- WashougalTop pick in WashingtonClark County, Washington · 62 mi awayMoss Agate, Amethyst
- Ocean ParkPacific County, Washington · 67 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Quartz
Wilson River FAQ
Where is Wilson River?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Wilson River?+
Is collecting allowed at Wilson River?+
What tools should I bring to Wilson River?+
When is the best time to visit Wilson River?+
How do I get to Wilson River?+
More rockhounding in Oregon
See all 177 Oregon spots →Open Wilson River on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
