Best spot

Ames: Fossil Hunting in Story County, Iowa

Updated July 2026

Central Iowa lies under the Des Moines Lobe, the last glacier to cross the state, and its drift is salted with Lake Superior agate, chalcedony, and jasper carried south from the Superior basin. Around Ames these show up in Skunk River gravels and glacial gravel exposures, along with reworked Pennsylvanian and Mississippian fossils. The Iowa Geological Survey points to central-Iowa gravel as dependable agate ground. Reported finds include chalcedony, fossils. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Ames photos

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

1 photo

Bear Creek and its wooded riparian corridor in Story County, Iowa, near Ames

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Story County
State: Iowa
Nearest road: Audubon Trail
Postcode: 50013
Coordinates: 42.03361, -93.63183

Geology at Ames

This spot sits on ground mapped as Augusta Group that formed roughly 355 to 330 million years ago. Fossils here are typically found in fresh exposures, where erosion keeps bringing new material to the surface.

Mapped unit: Augusta Group
Age: 355–330 Ma (Mississippian)
Elevation: 900 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 Ames

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 11°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, AMES MUNI AP station (3 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 Ames

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 Ames.

Ames FAQ

Where is Ames?+

Ames is in Story County, Iowa, at 42.03361, -93.63183. Nearest road: Audubon Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ames?+

Ames is reported to produce Chalcedony, Fossils.

Is collecting allowed at Ames?+

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 Ames?+

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 Ames?+

The most comfortable months at Ames are March to November.

How do I get to Ames?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.03361, -93.63183 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Audubon Trail.

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