Agates near Boston, MA
14 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Boston report agate. The closest is Cumberland Hill, about 34 miles out (43 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.
Map of 14 agate collecting spots within 150 miles of Boston, Massachusetts
Closest agates spots to Boston
- Cumberland HillProvidence County, Rhode Island34 mi · 43 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- MiddlesboroughPlymouth County, Massachusetts36 mi · 45 min driveAgate, Chalcedony
- ProvidenceProvidence County, Rhode Island42 mi · 53 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- PawtuxetProvidence County, Rhode Island45 mi · 56 min driveAgate, Carnelian, Amethyst
- Mt. Hope BayBristol County, Rhode Island49 mi · 1 hr 1 min driveRed Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian
- AmherstHampshire County, Massachusetts73 mi · 1 hr 31 min driveAgate
Types of agates reported near Boston
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate12
- Green Agate2
- Red Agate2
- Orange Agate1
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Boston
Sorted by distance from Boston. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
Agates near Boston FAQ
Where can I find agates near Boston?+
14 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Boston report agate. The closest is Cumberland Hill in Providence County County, roughly 34 miles away (43 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Boston?+
14 of the 14 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 Boston do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 34 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 114 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Boston
Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Boston 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.
