Best spot

Burlington (geodes): Geode Digging in Des Moines County, Iowa

Updated July 2026

Burlington marks the transition between Iowa's two great rockhounding stories: the Keokuk geode belt to the south and the Lake Superior agate fields carried in by glaciers. Mississippi River gravel bars here concentrate banded Lake Superior agates and quartz alongside the occasional geode weathered from nearby Mississippian limestone. The mix of glacial and bedrock material makes a single gravel bar unusually varied. Reported finds include lake superior agate, quartz, geode. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Burlington (geodes) photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

The Mississippi River and railroad bridge at Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Des Moines County
State: Iowa
Nearest road: Starrs Cave Road
Postcode: 52601
Coordinates: 40.85205, -91.14931

Geology at Burlington (geodes)

This spot sits on ground mapped as Fammenian that formed roughly 370 to 360 million years ago. Geodes typically weather free of their host rock and collect as rounded float in soils and drainages.

Mapped unit: Fammenian
Age: 370–360 Ma (Late Devonian)
Elevation: 560 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Burlington (geodes)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 17°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BURLINGTON MUNI AP station (6 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Burlington (geodes)

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Burlington (geodes).

Across the state line from Burlington (geodes)

Burlington (geodes) is close enough to the Iowa border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Burlington (geodes) FAQ

Where is Burlington (geodes)?+

Burlington (geodes) is in Des Moines County, Iowa, at 40.85205, -91.14931. Nearest road: Starrs Cave Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Burlington (geodes)?+

Burlington (geodes) is reported to produce Lake Superior Agate, Quartz, Geode.

Is collecting allowed at Burlington (geodes)?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Burlington (geodes)?+

Bring a crack hammer, a chisel, safety glasses, and a bucket. Candidates are rounder and lighter than solid rock; a soil pipe cutter opens them cleaner than a flat smash.

When is the best time to visit Burlington (geodes)?+

The most comfortable months at Burlington (geodes) are March to November.

How do I get to Burlington (geodes)?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.85205, -91.14931 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Starrs Cave Road.

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