Thunder eggs are found worldwide on all continents where the specific geological environment and conditions are ideal for its formations. They formed within hollow pockets in rhyolitic volcanic ash layers.
The United States, Germany, France, Australia, Turkey, Canada, and Mexico are more notable countries that have numerous locations producing these rocks.
In the U.S. thundereggs are mostly found in deserts and mountains of western states including Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.
The state of Oregon is known for numerous thunderegg beds. It is not surprising that the thunderegg became the official state rock of Oregon in 1965.
Oregon produces a great variety of thunder eggs that are known for their various colors and styles. The best productive areas are located in Central and Eastern Oregon. Some areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service have designated rock collecting areas. Pay-to dig services also available in Central Oregon.
These localities are popular among rockhounds and collectors but regulations are subject to change. Before planning to visit any of these places, be sure to check whether public collecting is allowed or if permits are required.
Where to Find Thundereggs? - Free and Fee-Digging Sites
Free Thunderegg Collecting Areas
White Fir Springs - Central Oregon
White Fir Springs is one of a few public rockhounding sites in the Ochoco National Forest managed by US National Forest. The area produces unique thundereggs filled with yellow, beige, brown, reddish, or purple jasper cores.
White Fir Springs: A Top Thunderegg Rockhounding Destination
Whistler Springs - Central Oregon
Whistler Springs Rockhounding Site is hidden deep in the beautiful ponderosa pine forest of the Ochoco Mountains, 50 miles away from Prineville. The collecting site is bounded from the southern end by Mill Creek Wilderness where digging is not allowed. Watch the boundary fence and signs.
Crane Creek - Southeastern Oregon
The thunderegg deposits are hidden deep in the Fremont National Forest, 9 miles away for the town of Lakeview.
Material from this bed features reddish-brown matrix and bright blue-gray agate core. Frequently, the agate center have blue quartz crystal or botryoidal texture, often fluorescent under shortwave ultraviolet light.
Succor Creek - Southeastern Oregon
Succor Creek is a remote high-desert destination in the Succor Creek Canyon at the Oregon-Idaho border. The area is nestled at the bottom of the scenic Succor Creek Canyon.
Though the area is also rich in fossil flora, petrified wood, and agate, but it is most popular among rock collectors for a great opportunity to find prized thundereggs and picture jasper. The thunderegg deposit is located at Succor Creek State Natural Area just across the creek.
McDermitt Area - Oregon-Nevada Border
The eastern part of the McDermitt area, located along the Oregon-Nevada border, is known for opportunities to find excellent thundereggs. There are numerous beds, scattered throughout the desert. Each of these beds is renowned for producing a unique and distinctive variety of thunder eggs.
In some specimens found around the McDermitt Mountains, fascinating features such as plumes, dendrites, and moss inclusions have been observed, adding to the geological intrigue of the region. Some beds may be under claim. So, if you find a No Trespassing sign, do not violate the law.
Little Naches - Central Washington
The Little Naches area is located northwest of the city of Yakima, deep in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Little Naches is known for its thunderegg deposits. There are a few beds in the area and each of them produces material with its own characteristics. The most notable are bed #1 and bed #2.
Bed #1: These agate thundereggs display features such as banding, feather patterns, waterlines, and orange streaks within the tan or gray matrix. The dig site is a 0.5-mile hike from the trailhead, where you'll find numerous pits left by previous collectors. Bring a shovel, pick, hammer, and chisel to uncover these buried treasures.
Bed #2 (Lily Pad Thundereggs): These beautiful specimens resemble lily pads, featuring a bluish jasper core often outlined by orange and encased in a tan, white, or greenish matrix. Some contain quartz pockets. Unlike Bed #1, these deposits are conveniently located near the road, making them easily accessible without a long hike.
Rabit Springs - Southern Idaho
This site is located a few miles south of Twin Falls hear Highway US 93. The material is flourescent. The area is littered by by broken geodes. There is a thin brown matrix that surrounds a clear/clouidy agate which surrounds a hollow core.
Fee Thunderegg Collecting Areas
Richardson’s Rock Ranch has been known for its extensive world-famous deposits of thundereggs. The highly-prized in the world Priday Plume agates features brilliant red and yellow plumes in the in the transparent matrix. Currently, the owners closed beds to public digging but you can purchase local stunning thundereggs in the store.
The Richardson’s rock shop also offers an exceptional selection of geological treasures from all over the world.
Lucky Strike Mine - Central Oregon
Lucky Strike Mine is a remote fee-digging area in Ochoco Mountains. The Lucky Strike mine provides a great opportunity to collect beautiful thunder eggs that are well-known for their various colors and styles.
Polka Dot Agate Mine - Central Oregon
Polka Dot Agate Mine is famous for producing beautiful orbicular agates, "Blue Ice Ocean" agates, and unique large thundereggs.
Before you go check if a digging is allowed.
Polka Dot Agate Mine: Discover the Hidden Gem of Central Oregon
