Glass Buttes Obsidian Area
Hampton, Oregon
black obsidianrainbow obsidianmahogany obsidiangold sheen obsidiansilver sheen obsidiansnowflake obsidian
BLM collecting area · Free
Glass Buttes Obsidian Area
BLM's own rock collecting guide names this site outright, stating that areas such as the Glass Buttes obsidian area in the Prineville District have been specifically set aside for collecting — rare company among public lands. A rhyolite dome complex about 65 miles east of Bend, it produces perhaps the widest obsidian variety in North America: plain black, mahogany, snowflake, and the sheen and rainbow material that only shows its fire once you slab it. Stay off marked claims, keep excavation under four feet deep, and remember that the same guide lists arrowheads and flakes as artifacts you may not collect.
The card catalog
| What you can find | black obsidian, rainbow obsidian, mahogany obsidian, gold sheen obsidian, silver sheen obsidian, snowflake obsidian |
|---|---|
| Access | BLM collecting area — Free |
| Fees | free, no permit for a reasonable personal-use load — BLM's Oregon/Washington guide defines reasonable as fitting a car trunk or partial pickup load, under 250 lb, and non-commercial |
| Season & hours | roughly May through October; the spur roads off US-20 turn to grease after rain and snow shuts them in winter |
| Kids | Family-friendly — float obsidian lies loose on the surface so there is no digging required, but this glass is genuinely razor-sharp — gloves and closed shoes are not optional for kids |
| Official source | BLM Oregon/Washington Rock Collecting Guide |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Glass Buttes Obsidian Area cost?
free, no permit for a reasonable personal-use load — BLM's Oregon/Washington guide defines reasonable as fitting a car trunk or partial pickup load, under 250 lb, and non-commercial Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Glass Buttes Obsidian Area open?
roughly May through October; the spur roads off US-20 turn to grease after rain and snow shuts them in winter Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Glass Buttes Obsidian Area good for kids?
Yes — Glass Buttes Obsidian Area works for families. float obsidian lies loose on the surface so there is no digging required, but this glass is genuinely razor-sharp — gloves and closed shoes are not optional for kids