Cedar Rapids — Rockhounding in Linn County, Iowa
Updated July 2026
The Cedar River gravels around Cedar Rapids carry silicified Devonian coral weathered out of the Cedar Valley Group limestones that underlie eastern Iowa. Colonial corals such as Hexagonaria and Favosites survive as hard, silica-replaced heads that take a good polish. The same gravels yield glacial agates and jaspers, making this a productive mixed-bag stretch. Reported finds include silicified coral, calcified coral. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Cedar Rapids photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Cedar Rapids in Linn County, Iowa
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Linn County
- State
- Iowa
- Nearest road
- 29th Ave Dr SW
- Postcode
- 52404
- Coordinates
- 41.94186, -91.65122
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 Cedar Rapids
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
- Silicified CoralEncyclopedia →
- Calcified CoralEncyclopedia →
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Cedar Rapids.
- CoralvilleJohnson County, Iowa · 18 mi awaySilicified Coral, Calcified Coral
- Benton CountyBenton County, Iowa · 28 mi awayColdwater Agate
- BrandonBuchanan County, Iowa · 31 mi awayGeode, Fossils
- La Porte CityBlack Hawk County, Iowa · 38 mi awayAgate
- KeotaWashington County, Iowa · 44 mi awayAgate
- Muscatine (pearls)Muscatine County, Iowa · 48 mi awayPink Pearl, Gold Pearl, Red Pearl
- Riverview Recreation AreaBlack Hawk County, Iowa · 50 mi awayGeode
- Muscatine (agate)Top pick in IowaLouisa County, Iowa · 50 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Moss Agate, Chalcedony
Across the state line from Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids 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.
- CassvilleGrant County, Wisconsin · 64 mi awayAgate, Quartz
- Grant River bedsGrant County, Wisconsin · 68 mi awayPearls
- GalenaJo Daviess County, Illinois · 71 mi awayCerussite, Galena
- CordovaRock Island County, Illinois · 71 mi awayAgate
- Hazel GreenGrant County, Wisconsin · 74 mi awayBarite, Calcite, Galena
- Mississippi RiverCrawford County, Wisconsin · 79 mi awayPearls
Cedar Rapids FAQ
Why is Cedar Rapids one of the best rockhounding spots in Iowa?+
Where is Cedar Rapids?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Cedar Rapids?+
Is collecting allowed at Cedar Rapids?+
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More rockhounding in Iowa
See all 49 Iowa spots →Open Cedar Rapids on the map
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