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Eddyville: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Lyon County, Kentucky

Updated July 2026

Lyon County, set between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake on the lower Cumberland River, is known for agate, chalcedony and jasper that collect in gravels and along the reservoir shorelines. The hard silica pebbles here are reworked from older Continental gravels, a different source than the geodes of central Kentucky. Eddyville sits between the two lakes, with river and shoreline access to the material. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Eddyville photos

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

1 photo

Lake Barkley on the Cumberland River at Kuttawa, Lyon County, Kentucky, near Eddyville

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Lyon County
State: Kentucky
Nearest road: Port Authority Road
Postcode: 42038
Coordinates: 37.07251, -88.05743

Geology at Eddyville

This spot sits on Alluvium, mapped as clay | silt | some sand | gravel that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Gravels like these concentrate whatever survives the river: agate, jasper, and other tough silica typically show up as rounded, waxy stones.

Mapped unit: Alluvium
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: clay | silt | some sand | gravel
Elevation: 390 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 Eddyville

Best months: September to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 48°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 30°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, EDDYVILLE 5S 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 Eddyville

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 Eddyville.

Across the state line from Eddyville

Eddyville 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.

Eddyville FAQ

Where is Eddyville?+

Eddyville is in Lyon County, Kentucky, at 37.07251, -88.05743. Nearest road: Port Authority Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Eddyville?+

Eddyville is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Eddyville?+

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 Eddyville?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Eddyville?+

The most comfortable months at Eddyville are September to June.

How do I get to Eddyville?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.07251, -88.05743 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Port Authority Road.

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