Where collection is allowed
BLM expressly identifies the site as a public sunstone collection area. Collection is free and noncommercial, but private mining claims surround the area and also occur within the broader landscape.
Remote high-desert roads lead from the Plush area. Facilities are limited to a pit toilet, picnic tables, and shade. Use the current BLM map and boundary posts rather than a generic map pin.
Tools, limits, and timing
Tools and methods
Hand tools only within the public collection area. Do not enter or collect from a private mining claim without the claimant’s permission.
Amount and use
Personal, noncommercial collecting only. The official page does not turn material on adjacent claims into public material.
Season and current status
No guaranteed operating season is stated, but weather, road condition, heat, cold, and wildfire restrictions can make the remote route unsuitable. Check with the Lakeview District before departure.
Rules to confirm at the site
- Stay inside orange-posted public-area boundaries.
- Verify the current BLM map because private claims occur nearby.
- Bring fuel, water, navigation backups, sun protection, and a recovery plan.
- Do not trade or sell material collected under the public allowance.
An old webpage, saved map, app layer, social post, or prior visit cannot override a current closure, posted boundary, permit condition, mining claim, staff instruction, or landowner decision.
What makes the site geologically useful
Oregon sunstone is a feldspar crystal found in weathered volcanic rock. BLM describes the host lava as roughly 13 to 14 million years old.
Loose crystals can weather from the lava, so careful surface observation may be more appropriate than aggressive excavation.
A low-impact trip plan
- 1
Download the current BLM map before losing service.
- 2
Confirm the marked public boundary at the site.
- 3
Begin with surface searching and minimize disturbance.
- 4
Record the host rock and crystal context before removing an allowed specimen.
- 5
Pack out all waste and refill any permitted shallow disturbance.
Site-specific preparation
- The site is isolated and has no drinking water.
- High-desert temperature swings and rough roads can be serious hazards.
- Do not rely on cellular service or a single navigation device.
Official sources
Open every relevant source shortly before departure. Fees, booking windows, fire rules, seasons, roads, and collection conditions can change without notice.
- Sunstone Collection Area Bureau of Land Management
- Official public collection area map Bureau of Land Management
Access and rule review: September 18, 2026. This guide is educational planning information, not a permit, reservation, boundary survey, or legal opinion.