Obsidian
Volcanic glass documented at four sites across Oregon, Utah, and New Mexico — from Glass Buttes' four collectible varieties (including rare fire obsidian) down to the small rounded Apache tears found in New Mexico gravel. One recurring legal wrinkle: at sites with a long history of Native American toolmaking, worked obsidian is federally protected and cannot legally be collected even where raw material is free to take.
Obsidian is volcanic glass, and the sites documented here show just how much variation that one description covers — from Glass Buttes' four named varieties, including a rare multicolor iridescent form, to the small, naturally tumbled Apache tears that turn up in New Mexico gravel alongside gray perlite. Utah's Mineral Mountains add a third pattern: obsidian tied to a specific mining district within the range, geologically distinct from the granite-hosted quartz the same mountains are also known for.
Sites where obsidian is documented
| Site | State | Verdict | What's notable there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass Buttes (BLM Burns District) | Oregon | Allowed | Four varieties — black, mahogany, rainbow, and rare fire obsidian — but the ground is a 10,000-year-old quarry site; worked pieces are federally protected (see warning below) |
| Succor Creek State Natural Area | Oregon | Allowed | Small nodules found occasionally; not the primary draw at this site, but documented |
| Mineral Mountains (BLM, Rock Corral) | Utah | Allowed | Milford obsidian, tied to the Roosevelt Hot Springs Mining District further north in the range — distinct from the granite-hosted quartz that's the site's main draw |
| Rockhound State Park | New Mexico | Allowed | Apache tears — small, naturally rounded obsidian nodules — found alongside gray perlite in trail-area gravel |
Verdicts and notes reflect each site's own published page as of this writing. Confirm current rules on the specific Site page before collecting.
At quarry sites, raw obsidian and worked obsidian are legally different things
Glass Buttes was worked as a Native American obsidian quarry for roughly 10,000 years, and the ground is covered in ancient knapping debris mixed with natural material. Under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (ARPA), any obsidian piece showing intentional human shaping — a projectile point, a scraper, a flaked edge — is a protected archaeological resource, not a rockhounding find, regardless of how small or incidental it looks. This distinction is specific to sites with documented quarry history; it isn't a general rule for all obsidian everywhere, but it's a serious one where it applies — see the Glass Buttes Site page for the full detail before visiting.
Where Obsidian Is Documented
Glass Buttes (BLM)
OregonAllowedBlack, mahogany, rainbow, and fire obsidian; ARPA protects worked pieces at this historic quarry site.
Succor Creek State Natural Area
OregonAllowedSmall nodules found occasionally; a secondary find, not the main draw.
Mineral Mountains (Rock Corral)
UtahAllowedMilford obsidian, tied to the Roosevelt Hot Springs Mining District within the range.
Rockhound State Park
New MexicoAllowedApache tears — small rounded nodules — found in trail-area gravel alongside gray perlite.
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 can I legally collect obsidian?
All four sites documented here allow personal-use obsidian collecting under their standard rules. Glass Buttes in Oregon has the widest variety, including rare fire obsidian; Rockhound State Park in New Mexico is a reliable spot for smaller Apache tears.
Is all obsidian at a site legal to collect?
Not necessarily. At sites with a documented history as a Native American toolmaking quarry — Glass Buttes being the clearest example here — any piece showing intentional human shaping is protected under federal antiquities law and cannot legally be collected, even though raw, unworked obsidian at the same site is free to take under standard personal-use rules.
What's an Apache tear?
A small, naturally rounded, translucent obsidian nodule — documented at Rockhound State Park in New Mexico, where it's abundant in trail-area gravel and considered good material for beginner collectors.
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