Where to Find Calcite in Oregon: 28 Mapped Sites
Oregon has 28 documented sites where calcite have been reported, and the best-known are Banfield Mine, Ochoco, and Wagonwheel. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Calcite Map: Oregon
All 28 calcite sites in Oregon. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Calcite Are Found in Oregon
Calcite fills cavities and veins in limestone country and rides along in ore veins nearly everywhere. Quarries, roadcuts in limestone, and mine dumps all produce it.
The richest reported sites in Oregon: Banfield Mine, Ochoco, Wagonwheel, Lillie Jane, Millionaire.
All Calcite Sites in Oregon
- Banfield Mine — Forest Service
- Ochoco — Forest Service
- Wagonwheel — Forest Service
- Lillie Jane — BLM/Public Lands
- Millionaire — BLM/Public Lands
- North Santiam Copper — Forest Service
- Pony Shoe Mine — Forest Service
- Schnack Bros. 1 & 2 — Forest Service
- Shamrock — BLM/Public Lands
- Blossom — BLM/Public Lands
- Morris Mine — Forest Service
- Mother Lode Mine — BLM/Public Lands
- Western Vein — Forest Service
- Baisley-Elkhorn — BLM/Public Lands
- Frog Pond — Forest Service
- Mineral King Prospect — Forest Service
- Monumental Mine — Forest Service
- Imnaha Group — Forest Service
- Old Mines
- Queen of the West Mine — Forest Service
- Sultana — Forest Service
- West Side — Forest Service
- Chloride — Forest Service
- Sanger Mine — Forest Service
- Snow Bird — BLM/Public Lands
- Carbonate — Forest Service
- Minty Group — BLM/Public Lands
- Mt. Pisgah
How to Identify Calcite
Calcite is the fizz test mineral: a drop of vinegar bubbles on it. Hardness 3 — a knife or even a copper coin scratches it — and it cleaves into perfect rhombohedra, so broken pieces are little slanted boxes. Crystals range from dogtooth points to flat plates in nearly any color, and many localities fluoresce red or orange under UV light.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find calcite in Oregon?
Oregon has 28 mapped sites where calcite have been reported. The best-known are Banfield Mine, Ochoco, and Wagonwheel. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many calcite sites are mapped in Oregon?
We have 28 documented calcite sites in Oregon, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect calcite in Oregon?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify calcite?
Calcite is the fizz test mineral: a drop of vinegar bubbles on it. Hardness 3 — a knife or even a copper coin scratches it — and it cleaves into perfect rhombohedra, so broken pieces are little slanted boxes. Crystals range from dogtooth points to flat plates in nearly any color, and many localities fluoresce red or orange under UV light.
What should I bring to collect calcite?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Calcite in Nearby States
Data: USGS Mineral Resources Data System, community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.