Where to Find Agate in Iowa
Iowa has 8 mapped collecting spots that report agate, spread across 6 counties. 7 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.
Every agate spot we track in Iowa
EmmetsburgPalo Alto County, IowaPublic access · Agate, Jasper, Petrified Wood- GraettingerPalo Alto County, IowaPublic access · Agate, Jasper, Petrified Wood
- Orient AreaAdair County, IowaPublic access · Agate, Quartz, Petrified Wood
- New LondonHenry County, IowaPublic access · Agate, Jasper
- KeotaWashington County, IowaPublic access · Agate
- La Porte CityBlack Hawk County, IowaPublic access · Agate
NevadaStory County, IowaPermission required · Agate- Skunk River gravels near Mount PleasantHenry County, IowaPublic access · Agate
Best counties for agate in Iowa
Ranked by the number of mapped agate spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
- Henry County2 spots
- Palo Alto County2 spots
- Adair County1 spot
- Black Hawk County1 spot
- Story County1 spot
- Washington County1 spot
Before you go
Read the agate identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Agate in the encyclopedia.
Agate in Iowa FAQ
Where can you find agate in Iowa?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Henry County, Palo Alto County, and Adair County. Every spot on this page is on the map, and each spot's own page has its coordinates and access notes.
How many agate spots are mapped in Iowa?+
8 spots across 6 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.
Is it legal to collect agate in Iowa?+
Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 7 of the 8 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find agate
More minerals to hunt in Iowa
Hunt agate in Iowa with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.
