Where to Find Geodes in Illinois

Illinois has 10 mapped collecting spots that report geodes, spread across 2 counties. The largest share sits in Hancock County with 9 spots. 10 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.

Standout geode spots in Illinois

Hand-picked from the full list below, with the reason each one earns a trip.

Hamilton
Hancock County
Hamilton lies on the Mississippi River within the Keokuk geode bed, a Lower Mississippian (Warsaw Formation) zone regarded as one of the finest quartz-geode localities on Earth.
Niota
Hancock County
Niota anchors the eastern edge of the Hancock County geode country, where creeks cross county roads and expose Warsaw Formation geodes weathering out of the outcrop.
McKee Creek
Pike County
McKee Creek marks the southern reach of the west-central Illinois geode belt, where Warsaw Formation geodes wash into the creek gravels.

Best counties for geodes in Illinois

Ranked by the number of mapped geode spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.

Every geode spot we track in Illinois

Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.

Spot	County	Minerals	Coordinates	Access
Crystal Glen CreekNorth County Road 700	Hancock County	Geode Barite Calcite Dolomite Goethite Pyrite Quartz Selenite	40.3714, -91.3755	Public
Dallas CityOak Street	Hancock County	Geode Calcite Malachite	40.6308, -91.1664	Public
HamiltonSouth 9th Street	Hancock County	Agate Jasper Geode	40.3872, -91.3462	Public
Hamilton QuarrySouth 2nd Street	Hancock County	Geode Pyrite Calcite Sphalerite	40.3822, -91.3554	Public
Mississippi River (near Hamilton)	Hancock County	Geode Amethyst Quartz	40.3833, -91.3765	Public
NauvooNorth County Road 800	Hancock County	Geode	40.5218, -91.3516	Public
NiotaNorth Morman Springs Road	Hancock County	Fossils Geode	40.6118, -91.3065	Public
Spillman CreekNorth County Road 1540	Hancock County	Geode Pyrite Chalcedony Sphalerite Quartz	40.6163, -91.2030	Public
Tyson Creek	Hancock County	Geode	40.5880, -91.2880	Public
McKee Creek	Pike County	Geode Sphalerite	39.7381, -90.7391	Public

Before you go

Read the geodes identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Geode in the encyclopedia.

Geodes in Illinois FAQ

Where can you find geodes in Illinois?+

The mapped spots concentrate in Hancock County and Pike County. Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.

How many geode spots are mapped in Illinois?+

10 spots across 2 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 geodes in Illinois?+

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. 10 of the 10 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.

Where else to find geodes

More minerals to hunt in Illinois

Hunt geodes in Illinois 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.