Jasper
The single most widely documented material on this site's rockhounding pages — eight sites across five states report it, from Oregon's picture jasper (patterned with dendritic iron inclusions that resemble landscapes) to plain red and yellow varieties common across Arizona's open desert.
Jasper is the most consistently documented material across this site's rockhounding pages — a reflection of how common and widely distributed it is rather than any single spectacular locality. Most sites report it as plain red, yellow, or banded material scattered through desert washes and volcanic terrain. One site stands apart: Hampton Butte in Oregon is documented specifically for picture jasper, where dendritic iron and manganese inclusions form patterns that resemble landscapes or trees, and the site treats this as its primary draw rather than a secondary find.
Sites where jasper is documented
| Site | State | Verdict | What's notable there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampton Butte | Oregon | Allowed | Picture and dendritic jasper — the site's primary target, prized for landscape-like patterning |
| Succor Creek State Natural Area | Oregon | Allowed | Red and banded jasper found as float and in exposed rhyolite outcrops |
| Rye Patch Reservoir (BLM) | Nevada | Allowed | Picture jasper in brown, tan, and cream landscape patterns from Tertiary-period silicified ash |
| Black Hills Rockhound Area | Arizona | Allowed | Red and yellow jasper, popular with lapidary workers in Yuma County |
| Quartzsite (BLM) | Arizona | Allowed | Common across the La Posa Plain's dense surface scatter |
| Alamo Lake (BLM) | Arizona | Allowed on BLM ground only | Found throughout the area regardless of the copper mineralization the site is otherwise known for |
| Wiley Well (BLM) | California | Allowed | Float material scattered through washes around the main rhyolite outcrops |
| Rockhound State Park | New Mexico | Allowed | Banded and multicolored jasper along the park's dedicated Jasper Trail |
Verdicts and notes reflect each site's own published page as of this writing. Alamo Lake's BLM ground allows collecting, but the adjoining Alamo Lake State Park and Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge do not — confirm the exact boundary on that Site page.
Where Jasper Is Documented
Hampton Butte (BLM)
OregonAllowedPicture and dendritic jasper; the site's primary target.
Succor Creek State Natural Area
OregonAllowedRed and banded jasper as float and in outcrops.
Rye Patch Reservoir BLM
NevadaAllowedPicture jasper from Tertiary-period silicified ash.
Black Hills Rockhound Area (BLM Yuma Field Office)
ArizonaAllowedRed and yellow jasper, popular with lapidary workers.
Quartzsite BLM Open Desert
ArizonaAllowedCommon across the La Posa Plain's dense surface scatter.
Alamo Lake BLM Area
ArizonaAllowedFound throughout on BLM ground; check the state park and NWR boundaries before assuming coverage.
Wiley Well District / Hauser Geode Beds
CaliforniaAllowedFloat material scattered through washes around the main outcrops.
Rockhound State Park
New MexicoAllowedBanded and multicolored jasper along the dedicated Jasper Trail.
Each site’s own page is the source of truth on current rules and limits — this page only gathers what’s already documented there. Verdicts shown reflect that site as a whole, not this material specifically, since a single site can allow one material while restricting another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to find picture jasper specifically?
Hampton Butte in Oregon is documented on this site specifically for picture and dendritic jasper — patterned material with iron and manganese inclusions that resemble landscapes. Rye Patch Reservoir in Nevada is the other documented picture-jasper source, with brown, tan, and cream landscape patterns.
Is jasper collecting free at these sites?
At the BLM sites documented here, jasper falls under each site's standard personal-use collecting rules — typically 25 lbs/day where that's the stated limit — with no separate permit for jasper specifically. Rockhound State Park in New Mexico sets its own state-park limit. Confirm the exact figure on the specific Site page.
Related Materials
Disclaimer
Information is provided for general guidance only. Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with the official jurisdiction before relying on this information for legal decisions. Permitted Pursuits is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Report an error.
Last updated: 2026-08-20