Where to Find Jasper in Iowa

Iowa has 6 mapped collecting spots that report jasper, spread across 5 counties. The largest share sits in Palo Alto County with 2 spots. 4 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.

Open the full map

Every jasper spot we track in Iowa

Best spotBellevueJackson County, IowaPublic access · Lake Superior Agate, Moss Agate, Carnelian +3
DubuqueDubuque County, IowaPermission required · Lake Superior Agate, Moss Agate, Oolitic Agate +4
EmmetsburgPalo Alto County, IowaPublic access · Agate, Jasper, Petrified Wood
GraettingerPalo Alto County, IowaPublic access · Agate, Jasper, Petrified Wood
New LondonHenry County, IowaPublic access · Agate, Jasper
GuttenburgClayton County, IowaPermission required · Jasper

Standout jasper spots in Iowa

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

Bellevue
Jackson County
The Mississippi River gravel bars near Bellevue are one of Iowa's most productive Lake Superior agate grounds, working glacial drift that the river continually reworks and sorts.

Best counties for jasper in Iowa

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

Palo Alto County2 spots
Clayton County1 spot
Dubuque County1 spot
Henry County1 spot
Jackson County1 spot

Before you go

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

Jasper in Iowa FAQ

Where can you find jasper in Iowa?+

The mapped spots concentrate in Palo Alto County, Clayton County, and Dubuque County. Every spot on this page is on the map, and each spot's own page has its coordinates and access notes.

How many jasper spots are mapped in Iowa?+

6 spots across 5 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 jasper 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. 4 of the 6 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.

Where else to find jasper

More minerals to hunt in Iowa

Hunt jasper 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.