Best spot

Bellevue: Lake Superior Agate & Moss Agate Rockhounding in Jackson County, Iowa

Updated July 2026

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. Collectors turn up banded and moss agates alongside carnelian, jasper, feldspar moonstone, and petrified coral. The stretch below Lock and Dam 12 exposes fresh gravel after every high-water event. Reported finds include lake superior agate, moss agate, carnelian, moonstone, jasper, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Bellevue photos

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

1 photo

Bellevue, Iowa and its river bluff seen from the Mississippi River, Jackson County

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Jackson County
State: Iowa
Nearest road: Great River Road
Postcode: 52031
Coordinates: 42.23130, -90.40166

Geology at Bellevue

This spot sits on ground mapped as Maquoketa Formation that formed roughly 455 to 445 million years ago. Fossils here are typically found in fresh exposures, where erosion keeps bringing new material to the surface.

Mapped unit: Maquoketa Formation
Age: 455–445 Ma (Late Ordovician)
Elevation: 600 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 Bellevue

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 12°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BELLEVUE L/D 12 station (2 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 Bellevue

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 Bellevue.

Across the state line from Bellevue

Bellevue 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.

Bellevue FAQ

Where is Bellevue?+

Bellevue is in Jackson County, Iowa, at 42.23130, -90.40166. Nearest road: Great River Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Bellevue?+

Bellevue is reported to produce Lake Superior Agate, Moss Agate, Carnelian, Moonstone, Jasper, Petrified Coral.

Is collecting allowed at Bellevue?+

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 Bellevue?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Bellevue?+

The most comfortable months at Bellevue are March to November.

How do I get to Bellevue?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.23130, -90.40166 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Great River Road.

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