Where to Find Agates near Bozeman, MT
18 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Bozeman report agate. The closest is Mount Blackmore, about 16 miles out (20 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 Bozeman
Mount BlackmoreGallatin County, Montana · 16 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Hyalite Opal +1
Yellowstone RiverPark County, Montana · 23 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Montana Agate, Moss Agate +2
CarbellaPark County, Montana · 32 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Jasper, Petrified Wood +1
MinerPark County, Montana · 34 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +1
Jefferson RiverMadison County, Montana · 59 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +1
Yellowstone River - Pelican Fishing AccessSweet Grass County, Montana · 62 mi awayPublic access · Montana Moss Agate, Petrified Wood, Jasper +1
Bakers HoleGallatin County, Montana · 67 mi awayPermission required · Agate
Yellowstone River - Bratten Fishing AccessSweet Grass County, Montana · 68 mi awayPublic access · Montana Moss Agate, Petrified Wood, Jasper +1
Yellowstone River - Holmgren Fishing AccessStillwater County, Montana · 82 mi awayPublic access · Montana Moss Agate, Petrified Wood, Jasper +1
Yellowstone River - Laurel Sportsman AccessYellowstone County, Montana · 106 mi awayPublic access · Montana Moss Agate, Petrified Wood, Jasper +1
Thorofare WildernessTeton County, Wyoming · 117 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Jasper, Opalized Wood +1
Yellowstone River - Blue Creek AccessYellowstone County, Montana · 121 mi awayPublic access · Montana Moss Agate, Petrified Wood, Jasper +1
Bear CanyonCarbon County, Montana · 129 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Agate
Best spotYellowstone River (Billings area)Yellowstone County, Montana · 132 mi awayPublic access · Montana Agate, Chalcedony, Chert +1
Best spotPryor MountainsBig Horn County, Montana · 138 mi awayPermission required · Fossil, Agate, Chalcedony +2
Big Horn RiverBig Horn County, Wyoming · 144 mi awayPermission required · Dry Head Agate
Yellowstone River - Bundy Bridge Fishing AccessYellowstone County, Montana · 148 mi awayPublic access · Montana Moss Agate, Petrified Wood, Jasper +1
MeeteetsePark County, Wyoming · 150 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Jasper
Types of agates reported near Bozeman
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate10
- Montana Moss Agate6
- Montana Agate2
- Dry Head Agate1
- Moss Agate1
Agates near Bozeman FAQ
Where can I find agates near Bozeman?+
18 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Bozeman report agate. The closest is Mount Blackmore in Gallatin County, roughly 16 miles away (20 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Bozeman?+
14 of the 18 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 Bozeman do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 16 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 150 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
