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Graves County: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Graves County, Kentucky

Updated July 2026

Graves County, in the far-western Jackson Purchase, is the state's best-known source of gravel-pit agate, jasper and silicified wood. The material comes from Pliocene Continental (Mounds) gravels that cap the region, a very different geologic setting than Kentucky's Mississippian geodes and agates. Collectors also work the nearby Kentucky Lake shoreline for the same hard silica pebbles. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, chert, jasper, quartz, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Graves County photos

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

1 photo

The Clarks River in Graves County, in the Jackson Purchase gravel-agate region of far-western Kentucky

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Graves County
State: Kentucky
Nearest road: KY 121
Postcode: 42066
Coordinates: 36.67052, -88.54171

Geology at Graves County

This spot sits on Alluvium, mapped as silt | sand | gravel that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: Alluvium
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: silt | sand | gravel
Elevation: 540 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 Graves County

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 45°F in winter to 89°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MURRAY station (14 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 Graves County

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 Graves County.

Across the state line from Graves County

Graves County is close enough to the Kentucky border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Graves County FAQ

Where is Graves County?+

Graves County is in Graves County, Kentucky, at 36.67052, -88.54171. Nearest road: KY 121.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Graves County?+

Graves County is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony, Chert, Jasper, Quartz, Silicified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Graves County?+

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 Graves County?+

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 Graves County?+

Graves County is workable year-round.

How do I get to Graves County?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.67052, -88.54171 in Google Maps. The nearest road is KY 121.

More rockhounding in Kentucky

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Open Graves County on the map

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