Where to Find Agates near Bismarck, ND
13 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Bismarck report agate. The closest is Bismarck, about 4 miles out (5 min drive).
Agates are banded chalcedony nodules that survive long after their volcanic host rock rots away, which is why they concentrate in gravel bars, beaches, and glacial deposits far from where they formed.
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Bismarck
Best spotBismarckBurleigh County, North Dakota · 4 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood +1
Best spotMandanMorton County, North Dakota · 7 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Chert +1
Cannonball RiverSioux County, North Dakota · 32 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood +1
TappenKidder County, North Dakota · 63 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +1
Best spotRichardtonStark County, North Dakota · 72 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Agatized Wood +2- Hettinger CountyHettinger County, North Dakota · 76 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood +2
Best spotSouris RiverMcHenry County, North Dakota · 90 mi awayPublic access · Quartz, Agate, Chalcedony +2- DickinsonStark County, North Dakota · 90 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony
Best spotMedoraBillings County, North Dakota · 128 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood
Best spotLittle Missouri RiverMcKenzie County, North Dakota · 135 mi awayPublic access · Montana Moss Agate, Jasper, Agatized Wood- Missouri River South ShoreMcKenzie County, North Dakota · 144 mi awayPublic access · Jasper, Montana Moss Agate, Petrified Wood
- Turtle MountainRolette County, North Dakota · 144 mi awayPermission required · Quartz, Agate, Chalcedony
- Missouri River at 119th Road NorthwestWilliams County, North Dakota · 145 mi awayPublic access · Jasper, Montana Moss Agate, Petrified Wood
Types of agates reported near Bismarck
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate10
- Montana Moss Agate3
Agates near Bismarck FAQ
Where can I find agates near Bismarck?+
13 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Bismarck report agate. The closest is Bismarck in Burleigh County, roughly 4 miles away (5 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Bismarck?+
10 of the 13 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
What is the fastest way to spot an agate in a gravel bed?+
Look for waxy luster and translucence rather than color. Wet the stone or look right after rain: agate glows softly at thin edges when backlit, while jasper and chert stay opaque. Banding clinches it but is often hidden until the stone is cracked or tumbled.
How far from Bismarck do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 4 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 145 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Bismarck
Where to Find Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Bismarck with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
