$Black volcanic obsidian with glassy fracture$

Where to find obsidian in the U.S.

Obsidian only forms near silica-rich volcanic flows. Focus on the West and Southwest — Apache Leap in Arizona, Glass Butte in Oregon, and related California/Nevada flows — and wear eye protection and gloves.

Obsidian collecting guide Related volcanic / chalcedony hubs Sites near me

60 directory listings mentioning obsidian.

What you are collecting

Obsidian is volcanic glass — silica-rich lava that cooled too fast to crystallize. Apache Tears are rounded nodules in perlite. Expect razor-sharp edges on every fresh break.

Best starting localities

Arizona Apache Leap (Apache Tears), Oregon Glass Butte, and flows in California, Nevada, and Utah dominate recreational collecting. Many sites are free public land with quantity limits — read the listing.

Safety non-negotiables

Safety glasses, thick gloves, and careful packing. Obsidian cuts deeper than it looks. Do not collect in closed volcanic parks where removal is prohibited.

Obsidian rockhounding map

Pin map of directory listings that mention obsidian.

57 sites with coordinates

Obsidian rockhounding sites

GPS-backed directory listings — open each card for access notes and coordinates.

Apache Leap Obsidian Flow — obsidian rockhounding site near Superior, AZ

ObsidianAZ

Apache Leap Obsidian Flow

Perlite flows near Superior yield rounded obsidian nodules known as Apache Tears in perlite matrix on Tonto National Forest slopes.

Fee variesSuperior

Apache Tears — gemstones rockhounding site near Pinal, AZ

GemstonesAZ

Apache Tears

Apache Tears is a historic mining site in Pinal, Arizona, documented by the USGS Mineral Resources Data System. Reported specimens include Gemstones.

Fee variesPinal

Amboy Crater — boltwoodite rockhounding site near California, CA

BoltwooditeCA

Amboy Crater

Amboy Crater is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Boltwoodite, Jasper, Obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesCalifornia

Gem Hill — agate rockhounding site near California, CA

AgateCA

Gem Hill

Gem Hill is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Uraninite, Obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesCalifornia

Glass Mountain — obsidian rockhounding site near California, CA

ObsidianCA

Glass Mountain

Glass Mountain is a documented mineral occurrence near CA. Reported specimens include Obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesCalifornia

That's Mom And Me - Looking For Obsidian In Summer 2011. — obsidian rockhounding site near CA, CA

ObsidianCA

That's Mom And Me - Looking For Obsidian In Summer 2011.

That's mom and me - looking for obsidian in summer 2011. is a documented rockhounding destination in CA. Collectors visit for obsidian, perlite and related material. Access rules and land ownership vary — confirm current status with the managing agency or landowner before collecting.

Fee variesCalifornia

Sugarloaf & Ruby Mountains — rhyolite rockhounding site near Colorado, CO

RhyoliteCO

Sugarloaf & Ruby Mountains

Sugarloaf & Ruby Mountains is a documented mineral occurrence near CO. Reported specimens include Rhyolite, Perlite, Apache tears, Spessartine, Topaz. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesColorado

Jemez National Recreation Area — obsidian rockhounding site near New Mexico, NM

ObsidianNM

Jemez National Recreation Area

Jemez National Recreation Area is a documented mineral occurrence near NM. Reported specimens include Obsidian, Opalized Wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Mexico

Las Cruces — obsidian rockhounding site near New Mexico, NM

ObsidianNM

Las Cruces

Las Cruces is a documented mineral occurrence near NM. Reported specimens include Obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Mexico

Los Lunas — agate rockhounding site near New Mexico, NM

AgateNM

Los Lunas

Los Lunas is a documented mineral occurrence near NM. Reported specimens include Red Agate, Banded Agate, Apache tears, Agatized wood, Obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Mexico

Mule Creek — apache tears rockhounding site near New Mexico, NM

Apache TearsNM

Mule Creek

Mule Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near NM. Reported specimens include Apache Tears. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Mexico

Santa Fe National Forest — agate rockhounding site near New Mexico, NM

AgateNM

Santa Fe National Forest

Santa Fe National Forest is a documented mineral occurrence near NM. Reported specimens include Agate, Apache tears, Jasper, Obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNew Mexico

Black Rock Desert — opal rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

OpalNV

Black Rock Desert

Black Rock Desert is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Opalized wood, Petrified wood, Agate, Fire Opal, Geodes, Gypsum, Obsidian, Tourmaline, Malachite, Epidote, Barite, Azurite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Fish Lake — apache tears rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

Apache tearsNV

Fish Lake

Fish Lake is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Apache tears. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Little High Rock Canyon — obsidian nodules rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

Obsidian nodulesNV

Little High Rock Canyon

Little High Rock Canyon is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Obsidian nodules. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Montezuma Peak — chalcedony rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

ChalcedonyNV

Montezuma Peak

Montezuma Peak is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Chalcedony, Chert, Jasper, Quartz crystals, Obsidian, Opalized wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Scotty’s Junction — arrowheads rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

ArrowheadsNV

Scotty’s Junction

Scotty’s Junction is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Arrowheads, Obsidian, Apache Tears, Pumice. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Sparks — agate rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

AgateNV

Sparks

Sparks is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Agate, Garnet, Idocrase, Obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Vya — opal rockhounding site near Nevada, NV

OpalNV

Vya

Vya is a documented mineral occurrence near NV. Reported specimens include Common Opal, obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNevada

Glass Butte Recreational Rockhound Area — obsidian rockhounding site near Oregon, OR

ObsidianOR

Glass Butte Recreational Rockhound Area

Glass Butte Recreational Rockhound Area is a documented mineral occurrence near OR. Reported specimens include Obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesOregon

Mom And Me At The Enormous Obsidian Flow — obsidian rockhounding site near OR, OR

ObsidianOR

Mom And Me At The Enormous Obsidian Flow

Mom and me at the enormous obsidian flow is a documented rockhounding destination in OR. Collectors visit for obsidian, perlite and related material. Access rules and land ownership vary — confirm current status with the managing agency or landowner before collecting.

Fee variesOregon

Mom And Me With Obsidian Specimens At Glass Buttes — obsidian rockhounding site near OR, OR

ObsidianOR

Mom And Me With Obsidian Specimens At Glass Buttes

Mom and me with obsidian specimens at Glass Buttes is a documented rockhounding destination in OR. Collectors visit for obsidian, perlite and related material. Access rules and land ownership vary — confirm current status with the managing agency or landowner before collecting.

Fee variesOregon

About 2.5 Miles Nne Of Oil Derrick, Wedin's Ranch, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near The Lenox Hills, TX

FossilTX

About 2.5 Miles Nne Of Oil Derrick, Wedin's Ranch, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Lenox Hills, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Lenox Hills

Clay Slide, Glass Mountains (john Britts Owen Collection) — fossil rockhounding site near The Cathedral Mountain, TX

FossilTX

Clay Slide, Glass Mountains (john Britts Owen Collection)

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Cathedral Mountain

Dugout Mountain, Steep Southern Slope, 9 M Below Skinner Ranch, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near The Lenox Hills, TX

FossilTX

Dugout Mountain, Steep Southern Slope, 9 M Below Skinner Ranch, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Lenox Hills, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Lenox Hills

Near Junction Of Road And Gilliland Canyons, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near The Word, TX

FossilTX

Near Junction Of Road And Gilliland Canyons, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Word, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Word

R.e. King 101, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

R.e. King 101, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

R.e. King 197, Hess Ranch Horst, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

R.e. King 197, Hess Ranch Horst, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Lenox Hills, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

R.e. King 231, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

R.e. King 231, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Skinner Ranch, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

R.e. King 232, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

R.e. King 232, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

R.e. King 234, Hess Ranch Horst, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

R.e. King 234, Hess Ranch Horst, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

R.e. King 245, Hill 5726, Hess Ranch Horst, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near The Cathedral Mountain, TX

FossilTX

R.e. King 245, Hill 5726, Hess Ranch Horst, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Cathedral Mountain

R.e. King 307, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

R.e. King 307, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

R.e. King 33, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

R.e. King 33, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

University Of Texas T107, Hess Ranch Horst, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

University Of Texas T107, Hess Ranch Horst, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Hess, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

University Of Texas T140, Gilliland Canyon, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

University Of Texas T140, Gilliland Canyon, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

University Of Texas T233, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

University Of Texas T233, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

University Of Texas T9, Round Point Ridge, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

University Of Texas T9, Round Point Ridge, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

University Of Texas Tba, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

University Of Texas Tba, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm700l, Dugout Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm700l, Dugout Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm700x, Dugout Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm700x, Dugout Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm701a3, Wolf Camp Hills, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm701a3, Wolf Camp Hills, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Neal Ranch, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm702inst, Split Tank, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm702inst, Split Tank, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm703a1, Old Word Ranch, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm703a1, Old Word Ranch, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm703b, Old Word Ranch, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm703b, Old Word Ranch, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm703bs, Old Word Ranch, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm703bs, Old Word Ranch, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Cathedral Mountain, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm705i, Gaptank Formation, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm705i, Gaptank Formation, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Gaptank, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm705k, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm705k, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Lenox Hills, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm705m, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm705m, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Lenox Hills, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm705s, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm705s, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Lenox Hills, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm708b, Hwy. 90 Near Decie Ranch, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm708b, Hwy. 90 Near Decie Ranch, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Neal Ranch?, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm709w, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm709w, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Lenox Hills, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm714p, Skinner Ranch Formation, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm714p, Skinner Ranch Formation, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Skinner Ranch, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm715v, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm715v, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Skinner Ranch, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm716t, Skinner Ranch Formation, Willis Ranch, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm716t, Skinner Ranch Formation, Willis Ranch, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Skinner Ranch, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm722l, Dugout Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm722l, Dugout Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Skinner Ranch, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

Usnm724p, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains — fossil rockhounding site near Texas, TX

FossilTX

Usnm724p, Leonard Mountain, Glass Mountains

Fossil collection site in the Skinner Ranch, Brewster County, Texas. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTexas

W Side Of Glass Mountains — agate rockhounding site near Texas, TX

AgateTX

W Side Of Glass Mountains

W side of Glass Mountains is a documented mineral occurrence near TX. Reported specimens include Moss Agate, Plume Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Quartz crystals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesTexas

Black Rock — snowflake obsidian rockhounding site near Utah, UT

Snowflake obsidianUT

Black Rock

Black Rock is a documented mineral occurrence near UT. Reported specimens include Snowflake obsidian. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesUtah

Promontory Point — obsidian rockhounding site near Utah, UT

ObsidianUT

Promontory Point

Promontory Point is a documented mineral occurrence near UT. Reported specimens include Obsidian, Variscite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesUtah

FAQ

Where can I find obsidian in the United States?

Obsidian occurs in western volcanic belts — Arizona Apache Leap (Apache Tears), Oregon Glass Butte, and flows in California, Nevada, and Utah. Use the map below for GPS listings.

Is it safe to collect obsidian?

Obsidian breaks into razor-sharp edges. Always wear safety glasses and thick gloves, and pack cuts carefully.

Can I collect Apache Tears for free?

Some Arizona and western sites allow casual personal collecting on public land within limits. Confirm the managing agency rules for the exact parcel before you dig.

Related: pay-to-dig sites, agates in the USA, geodes near me.