Where to Find Geodes in Iowa
13 mapped geodes rockhounding spots in Iowa, across 9 counties. Geodes are hollow nodules lined with crystals, most often quartz, calcite, or chalcedony.
Map of 13 geodes rockhounding spots in Iowa
Geodes by county in Iowa
Counties ranked by number of geodes spots in our database.
Every geodes spot in Iowa
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverview Recreation AreaCedar Valley Lakes Trail | Black Hawk County | 42.4766, -92.3008 | Public | |
| Brandon330th Street | Buchanan County | 42.3164, -91.9902 | Public | |
| SheffieldQuail Avenue | Cerro Gordo County | 42.9217, -93.1778 | Public | |
| Burlington (geodes)Starrs Cave Road | Des Moines County | 40.8521, -91.1493 | Public | |
| ChapinOlive Avenue | Franklin County | 42.8543, -93.2203 | Public | |
| EldoraDole Drive | Hardin County | 42.3631, -93.1175 | Public | |
| Steamboat RiverNorth 10th Street | Hardin County | 42.4098, -93.0726 | Public | |
| Union305th Street | Hardin County | 42.2540, -93.0581 | Public | |
| Mount Pleasant | Henry County | 40.9529, -91.5673 | Public | |
| Skunk RiverCockleburr Lane | Henry County | 40.8987, -91.5565 | Public | |
| Donnellson180th Avenue | Lee County | 40.6275, -91.5698 | Public | |
| Hamilton (west)Carroll Street | Lee County | 40.3837, -91.3747 | Public | |
| Farmington (geodes)State Highway 81 | Van Buren County | 40.6375, -91.7527 | Public |
Geodes in Iowa FAQ
Where can I find geodes in Iowa?+
RockHoundR tracks 13 geodes spots in Iowa, spread across 9 counties. The strongest concentration is in Hardin County.
Is collecting geodes legal in Iowa?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like geodes is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in Iowa, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.
What is the best geodes location in Iowa?+
Hardin County has the most geodes spots in our database for Iowa. The full county breakdown is below — different counties produce different qualities and varieties.
Other states for geodes
Hunt geodes in Iowa on the map
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