Sunflower Flat: Jasper & Thundereggs Rockhounding in Wasco County, Oregon

Updated July 2026

Sunflower Flat is a mapped rockhounding spot in Wasco County, Oregon. Reported finds include jasper, thundereggs. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Map showing Sunflower Flat in Wasco County, Oregon

Quick details

Access
Permission required
State
Oregon
Nearest road
S-509 Road

Geology at Sunflower Flat

This spot sits on John Day/Clarno Group, mapped as andesite flows that formed roughly 34 to 23 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this is where agate, jasper, and other chalcedony typically form, filling old gas pockets and fracture seams in the flow rock.

Mapped unit
John Day/Clarno Group
Age
34–23 Ma (Oligocene)
Rock types
andesite flows
Elevation
2,720 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 Sunflower Flat

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 74°F in midsummer and 42°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 31°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GOVERNMENT CAMP station (23 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

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

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:

Found at Sunflower Flat

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 Sunflower Flat.

Across the state line from Sunflower Flat

Sunflower Flat 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.

Sunflower Flat FAQ

Where is Sunflower Flat?+
Sunflower Flat is in Wasco County, Oregon, at 45.07459, -121.40298. Nearest road: S-509 Road.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Sunflower Flat?+
Sunflower Flat is reported to produce Jasper, Thundereggs.
Is collecting allowed at Sunflower Flat?+
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 Sunflower Flat?+
Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.
When is the best time to visit Sunflower Flat?+
The most comfortable months at Sunflower Flat are March to November.
How do I get to Sunflower Flat?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 45.07459, -121.40298 in Google Maps. The nearest road is S-509 Road.

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