Sunstone Collection Area

Facility · Oregon ·

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management

Lakeview District Lakeview Field Office (Bureau of Land Management OR) · Open Access

4,626 ft
Elevation
Visitors hunt for sunstones at the Sunstone Collection Area
Photo: Greg Shine, BLM · Recreation.gov

The Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area allows visitors to enjoy collecting these rare and beautiful gems in their natural setting. Located in the remote Rabbit Basin, the Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area is in the high desert habitat of sagebrush and open spaces of south-central Oregon.

Know Before You Go:

  • The boundaries of the Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area are marked by orange plastic posts that say ‘Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area,’ and corners are marked with large Bureau of Land Management triangles on wooden posts.
  • There are many private mining claims surrounding the public collection area and several within it. Collecting Sunstones from a private claim without permission is not allowed and may result in legal penalties. Please take the time to know where you are before collecting.
  • Due to the isolated location, rock hounds visiting the collection area should be well prepared. The only facilities available at the site are a pit toilet, picnic tables, and a shade structure. You are welcome to camp anywhere within the Oregon Sunstone Public Collection Area.

Point of Interest:

Sunstones are feldspar crystals that formed in lava. Thirteen to fourteen million years ago, a volcano in Steens Mountain erupted, pouring out massive amounts of lava. The lava flow was subsequently covered by a vast lake and remained underwater for thousands of years. As the lake gradually dried up, the exposure to weather caused the lava to decompose and reveal loose sunstones.

Getting there

From Plush: Take County Road 3-10 (the Hogback Road) north for about 10 miles (this road turns to gravel after 4 miles). Turn right onto Country Road 3-11 and drive Ѕ mile then turn left onto BLM Road 6155. Remain on 6155 for about 8 ј miles then turn left onto BLM Road 6115. Follow the 6115 road for about 5 miles until you can turn right onto BLM Road 6195 and see the entrance sign for the Sunstone Collection Area.

For southbound travelers on Highway 395: From Highway 395, turn left (east) onto Country Road 3-10 (the Hogback Road). Stay on the Hogback Road for 20.2 miles until you can turn left on County Road 3-11. Drive Ѕ mile and turn left onto BLM Road 6155. Remain on the 6155 road for about 8 ј miles then turn left onto BLM Road 6115. Follow the 6115 road for about 5 miles until you can turn right onto BLM Road 6195 and see the entrance sign for the Sunstone Collection Area.

42.72337, -119.86074 · 42°43'24.1"N 119°51'38.7"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Official map for this area

Typical weather

Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 39°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F414248536272838374614739
Low °F222125283540474639312420
Precip in1.31.51.61.82.11.20.50.40.71.41.41.3

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 15.9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

There is no fee for collecting sunstones, but you may not collect sunstones for trade or commercial purposes.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

Member photos

Common questions about Sunstone Collection Area

Can you reserve a site at Sunstone Collection Area?
No. Sunstone Collection Area is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Camping near Sunstone Collection Area

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.