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Kansas River at Lawrence: Lake Superior Agate & Agate Rockhounding in Douglas County, Kansas

Public accessBest spot4 mineralsDouglas County, KansasUpdated July 2026
Minerals reported
4
Elevation
850 ft
Best months
March to November

The Kansas River at Lawrence carries the same glacial gravels found upstream at Topeka, including Lake Superior agate along with chert, quartzite, and petrified wood shed from Ice Age drift. Lawrence Riverfront Park provides a maintained city boat ramp directly onto the navigable river. The Kansas Geological Survey documents the Kaw corridor as a place where the reworked glacial gravel of northeast Kansas is exposed. Reported finds include lake superior agate, agate, chert, petrified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

State
Kansas
Nearest road
Riverfront Park
Postcode
66044
Get directionsView on Google Maps

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Access note: The Kansas (Kaw) River is legally navigable and its bed below the ordinary high-water mark is public. Reach the sandbars from the City of Lawrence Riverfront Park access ramp and collect loose material for personal use. Avoid the Bowersock Dam area and do not cross private banks.

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.

Best time to visit Kansas River at Lawrence

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LAWRENCE station (1 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Kansas River at Lawrence

This spot sits on ground mapped as water. Petrified wood typically shows up as durable float on slopes and in washes cut into ground like this.

Mapped unit
water
Elevation
850 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.

Today's weather

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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.

Found at Kansas River at Lawrence

Each name 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 Kansas River at Lawrence.

  • McLouthJefferson County, Kansas · 15 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper
  • TopekaShawnee County, Kansas · 19 mi awayLake Superior Agate
  • Bonner SpringsWyandotte County, Kansas · 21 mi awayGeode
  • OttawaFranklin County, Kansas · 22 mi awayFossil Plant
  • GarnettAnderson County, Kansas · 43 mi awayFossil
  • Pony CreekBrown County, Kansas · 73 mi awayCelestite
  • Strong CityChase County, Kansas · 81 mi awayChalcopyrite, Geode
  • StockdaleRiley County, Kansas · 83 mi awayGarnet

Across the state line from Kansas River at Lawrence

Kansas River at Lawrence is close enough to the Kansas border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

  • Kansas CityJackson County, Missouri · 40 mi awayAragonite, Barite, Calcite
  • Sugar CreekBuchanan County, Missouri · 42 mi awaySeptarian Nodule, Aragonite, Calcite
  • Pleasant HillCass County, Missouri · 53 mi awayCalcite, Vivianite
  • Foster & HumeBates County, Missouri · 69 mi awayAlunogen, Gypsum, Melanterite
  • Grindstone CreekDeKalb County, Missouri · 75 mi awayCalcite
  • Walnut CreekJohnson County, Missouri · 79 mi awaySphalerite

Kansas River at Lawrence FAQ

Where is Kansas River at Lawrence?+
Kansas River at Lawrence is in Douglas County, Kansas, at 38.97360, -95.23720. Nearest road: Riverfront Park.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Kansas River at Lawrence?+
Kansas River at Lawrence is reported to produce Lake Superior Agate, Agate, Chert, Petrified Wood.
Is collecting allowed at Kansas River at Lawrence?+
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 Kansas River at Lawrence?+
A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.
When is the best time to visit Kansas River at Lawrence?+
The most comfortable months at Kansas River at Lawrence are March to November.
How do I get to Kansas River at Lawrence?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 38.97360, -95.23720 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Riverfront Park.

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