Bells Mill Park — Rockhounding in Hamilton County, Iowa
Updated July 2026
Bells Mill Park preserves outcrops along the Boone River where dark, well-formed calcite crystals occur in the Mississippian carbonates, an unusual and distinctive Iowa mineral locality. Unlike the state's ubiquitous glacial agate, this is a bedrock mineral occurrence tied to one specific valley. The park's river frontage keeps loose material replenished in the Boone River gravels. Reported finds include calcite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Bells Mill Park photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Bells Mill Park in Hamilton County, Iowa
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Hamilton County
- State
- Iowa
- Nearest road
- Bell's Mill Road
- Postcode
- 50249
- Coordinates
- 42.34056, -93.89169
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 Bells Mill Park
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 Bells Mill Park.
- Fort DodgeWebster County, Iowa · 16 mi awayGypsum
- AmesTop pick in IowaStory County, Iowa · 25 mi awayChalcedony, Fossils
- NevadaStory County, Iowa · 35 mi awayAgate
- EldoraHardin County, Iowa · 40 mi awayGeode
- Steamboat RiverTop pick in IowaHardin County, Iowa · 42 mi awayGeode
- UnionHardin County, Iowa · 43 mi awayGeode
- ChapinFranklin County, Iowa · 49 mi awayGeode
- SheffieldCerro Gordo County, Iowa · 54 mi awayGeode
Bells Mill Park FAQ
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More rockhounding in Iowa
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