Columbia River: Opalized Wood & Petrified Wood Rockhounding in Kittitas County, Washington

Public accessBest spot2 mineralsKittitas County, WashingtonUpdated June 2026

Minerals reported: 2
Elevation: 490 ft
Best months: February to June

The Saddle Mountains expose a petrified forest preserved between Wanapum Basalt flows roughly 14 to 15 million years old, and the area is one of the few places where collectors can legally gather Washington's state gem on public land. On BLM-managed ground near Beverly, surface collection of petrified and opalized wood is allowed under federal personal-use rules of 25 pounds plus one piece per day. Agate, jasper, and chalcedony turn up alongside the wood. Reported finds include opalized wood, petrified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Kittitas County
State: Washington
Nearest road: Beverly Railroad Bridge
Postcode: 99321
Coordinates: 46.83492, -119.94969

Get directions View on Google Maps

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

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.

Access note: This site is on the northwest end of the Saddle Mountains near Beverly along the Columbia River, the side BLM recommends because it has less intermixed private land. Stay on BLM-managed parcels, confirm boundaries before digging, and use hand tools only. The closed sections near Mattawa on the east end do not apply here.

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 Columbia River

40°J

47°F

57°M

65°A

75°M

82°J

91°J

90°A

80°S

65°O

50°N

41°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 29°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PRIEST RAPIDS DAM station (13 mi away).

Geology at Columbia River

This spot sits on alluvium, mapped as sand and gravel that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: alluvium
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: sand and gravel
Elevation: 490 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: April 1, 2026

Washington Geological Survey (DNR)
Stonerose Interpretive Center, Visit & rules
BLM Spokane District
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Columbia River

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 Columbia River.

MattawaGrant County, Washington · 6 mi awayOpalized Wood
Petrified Forest State ParkKittitas County, Washington · 9 mi awayOpalized Wood, Petrified Wood
Cairn Hope PeakYakima County, Washington · 19 mi awayPetrified Wood, Opalized Wood
EllensburgKittitas County, Washington · 32 mi awayGeode
Rattlesnake Mt.Benton County, Washington · 34 mi awayPetrified Wood, Opalized Wood
RingoldFranklin County, Washington · 41 mi awayAgate
Moses CouleeDouglas County, Washington · 43 mi awayOpalized Wood
LibertyKittitas County, Washington · 44 mi awayGold

Columbia River FAQ

Where is Columbia River?+

Columbia River is in Kittitas County, Washington, at 46.83492, -119.94969. Nearest road: Beverly Railroad Bridge.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Columbia River?+

Columbia River is reported to produce Opalized Wood, Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Columbia River?+

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 Columbia River?+

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 Columbia River?+

The most comfortable months at Columbia River are February to June.

How do I get to Columbia River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.83492, -119.94969 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Beverly Railroad Bridge.