It’s a great spot to go if you’re looking for larger rainbow specimens since it’s a bit harder to reach. This mine bears rainbow obsidian, alongside more common mahogany and black obsidian. You’ll have to walk a bit if you don’t have a 4×4, but a ¼ mile trek is a small price to pay for the specimens you can pull from here. Most people will be able to make the trek to the Middle Fork Davis Creek mine. There are no facilities associated with the Needles Mine, so plan accordingly. You can hike the last few miles, but you’ll add hours of walking and have to bring your haul back with you. The beginning of the road is relatively easy on vehicles, but the last few miles will require something with high clearance. The needles range from a couple of inches to a foot or more, and this is one of the very few places in the world that they’ve been found. These long, thin obsidian formations almost look like crystals, which is no neat trick for cooling magma after an eruption. One of the more unique specimens of obsidian is the needles which come from the aptly named Needles Mine. On the other hand, it’s also right up the road from the Lassen Creek Campground, so it’s a great spot for casual collectors or those who have kids. If you have the vehicle for it, you may want to go to the Middle Fork Davis Creek Mine instead.

This site is picked over more than the rest due to ease of access. It’s not a good idea to break a nodule in your hand without them. With a large nodule you can produce cuts that need stitches or even cause permanent injury. The conchoidal fracture leads to a very sharp edge. You may have to break a nodule to find out if it’s the right stuff. This unique variety of volcanic glass has an iridescent shimmer due to inclusions. You should expect some damage to the road and a truck or SUV is still ideal.Īt the site, you can find Rainbow Obsidian. It’s still on a dirt road, but most cars will make it with some care. The only one of the four mines which can be accessed with most vehicles is the Rainbow Mine. The adventure is well worth it, however, and finding pink obsidian specimens in the wild can be quite the adventure! 2. You’re out on your own when you begin a journey like this, so bring a buddy as well.

Plan appropriately with water, food, and emergency supplies in case something happens. There are no nearby facilities, and few people venture out this far. It’s one of the two mines that are quite hard to reach, the other being the Middle Fork Davis Creek area. This location is going to require a vehicle with good clearance, and having a 4×4 comes strongly recommended. While the pink obsidian is tempting, not every vehicle is going to be able to make the attempt. Popular for pink obsidian, a rare form of the mineral with a light red to bright pink coloration. You can find precise directions right here. These mines are one of the best places to look for obsidian in the northern part of California, and they have some shockingly beautiful forms of the mineral available for those who are willing to look. The permit is easy to obtain, but you should plan on getting it ahead of time if you head out here. All can be found off of Highway 395 in Northeastern California.īefore you get too excited, you need to keep one thing in mind: Collection in this area isn’t open to everyone. The Warner Mountains are home to four different mines, each home to a unique form of Obsidian. With California’s enormous area and high geological diversity, it’s no wonder that you can find obsidian in so many places.įor those looking to find obsidian in California, read on and we’ll go over some of the best spots to get yourself a chunk of volcanic glass! Obsidian, that attractive volcanic glass, is common in the Western states.

Blue green obsidian rock