Where to Find Geodes near Cedar Rapids, IA
32 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Cedar Rapids report geode. The closest is Brandon, about 29 miles out (36 min drive).
Geodes are hollow, roughly spherical rocks lined with crystals, most often quartz, amethyst, or calcite. They weather out of limestone and volcanic host rock and concentrate in creek gravels and hillside float.
Every geode spot within 150 miles of Cedar Rapids
BrandonBuchanan County, Iowa · 29 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Fossil
Riverview Recreation AreaBlack Hawk County, Iowa · 47 mi awayPublic access · Geode
Mount PleasantHenry County, Iowa · 71 mi awayPublic access · Chert, Geode
UnionHardin County, Iowa · 74 mi awayPublic access · Geode
Skunk RiverHenry County, Iowa · 75 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Petrified Coral, Limonite
Best spotSteamboat RiverHardin County, Iowa · 78 mi awayPublic access · Geode
EldoraHardin County, Iowa · 79 mi awayPublic access · Geode
Best spotLowellHenry County, Iowa · 80 mi awayPublic access · Keokuk Geode
Best spotBurlington (geodes)Des Moines County, Iowa · 82 mi awayPublic access · Lake Superior Agate, Quartz, Geode
Best spotBentonsportVan Buren County, Iowa · 89 mi awayPublic access · Keokuk Geode
Farmington (geodes)Van Buren County, Iowa · 93 mi awayPublic access · Geode
DonnellsonLee County, Iowa · 93 mi awayPublic access · Geode
FarmingtonVan Buren County, Iowa · 94 mi awayPublic access · Keokuk Geode, Coral
Best spotNiotaHancock County, Illinois · 96 mi awayPublic access · Fossil, Geode
Dallas CityHancock County, Illinois · 97 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Calcite, Malachite
Spillman CreekHancock County, Illinois · 97 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Pyrite, Chalcedony +2
Tyson CreekHancock County, Illinois · 98 mi awayPublic access · Geode
ChapinFranklin County, Iowa · 100 mi awayPublic access · Geode
SheffieldCerro Gordo County, Iowa · 101 mi awayPublic access · Geode
NauvooHancock County, Illinois · 102 mi awayPublic access · Geode
St. FrancisvilleClark County, Missouri · 105 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Barite, Calcite +5
KahokaClark County, Missouri · 106 mi awayPublic access · Geode
Fox CityClark County, Missouri · 107 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Calcite
Geode FestLee County, Iowa · 108 mi awayFee dig · Keokuk Geode
KeokukLee County, Iowa · 110 mi awayPublic access · Keokuk Geode, Calcite, Chalcedony +4
Best spotHamiltonHancock County, Illinois · 111 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Jasper, Geode
Hamilton (west)Lee County, Iowa · 111 mi awayPublic access · Geode
Mississippi River (near Hamilton)Hancock County, Illinois · 111 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Amethyst, Quartz
Hamilton QuarryHancock County, Illinois · 111 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Pyrite, Calcite +1
Crystal Glen CreekHancock County, Illinois · 112 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Barite, Calcite +5
Best spotAlexandria & WaylandClark County, Missouri · 112 mi awayPublic access · Geode
Best spotFabius RiverLewis County, Missouri · 138 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Calcite, Malachite +4
Types of geodes reported near Cedar Rapids
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Geode27
- Keokuk Geode5
Geodes near Cedar Rapids FAQ
Where can I find geodes near Cedar Rapids?+
32 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Cedar Rapids report geode. The closest is Brandon in Buchanan County, roughly 29 miles away (36 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect geodes on public land near Cedar Rapids?+
31 of the 32 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible, and 1 is a fee-dig site where you pay for access and keep your finds. 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.
How do I know if a rock is a geode before cracking it open?+
Candidates are rounder and lighter than solid rocks of the same size, with a bumpy cauliflower surface. Shake one next to your ear: loose crystals sometimes rattle. The only sure test is opening it with a cross-peen hammer or a soil pipe cutter, which gives cleaner halves than a flat smash.
How far from Cedar Rapids do I need to drive?+
The nearest geode spot is about 29 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 138 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
