Malheur County boasts a wealth of hidden thunderegg deposits scattered across its arid plateaus and remote volcanic uplands. Unlike more heavily trafficked collecting areas, many of Malheur’s beds remain lesser-known, offering rockhounds the thrill of discovery in a wide-open, high desert setting. The region’s geologic story is written in its thundereggs—nodules that often contain swirling agates, subtle opalization, and dramatic color contrasts formed under intense volcanic conditions.
Collectors exploring this corner of Oregon often find eggs with unusual structural features—elongated cavities, lacy internal filaments, or dendritic inclusions that mimic plant-like patterns. Some sites yield nodules with chalky, weathered exteriors that conceal vibrant, gem-grade interiors. These thundereggs are especially prized for their lapidary potential and their distinct departure from the more standardized material seen elsewhere. For those willing to explore off the beaten path, Malheur County continues to reveal rare and beautiful surprises.
Known thunderegg deposits:
- Bully Creek Bed
- Baby Doe Bed
- Blue Bed
- Blue Ridge Bed
- Boxcar Bed
- Cliff Bed
- Devil’s Gate Bed
- Forgotten Dragon Bed
- Golden Glow Bed
- McDermitt Bed
- Opal Bed
- Pinnacle Overlook Bed
- Praying Hands Bed
- Red Hill Bed
- Rolling Thunder Bed
- Shearing Corral Creek Bed
- Skull Springs Bed
- Succor Creek Bed
- Upper Bed
- Quinn River Bed