Agates near Des Moines, IA
27 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Des Moines report agate. The closest is Nevada, about 32 miles out (40 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 27 agate collecting spots within 150 miles of Des Moines, Iowa
Closest agates spots to Des Moines
- NevadaStory County, Iowa32 mi · 40 min driveAgate
- Orient AreaAdair County, Iowa44 mi · 56 min driveAgate, Quartz, Petrified Wood
- Benton CountyBenton County, Iowa86 mi · 1 hr 47 min driveColdwater Agate
- KeotaWashington County, Iowa89 mi · 1 hr 51 min driveAgate
- La Porte CityBlack Hawk County, Iowa90 mi · 1 hr 52 min driveAgate
- Red OakMontgomery County, Iowa94 mi · 1 hr 57 min driveChert, Protozoa Agate
Types of agates reported near Des Moines
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate12
- Lake Superior Agate10
- Coldwater Agate3
- Moss Agate3
- Banded Agate1
- Protozoa Agate1
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Des Moines
Sorted by distance from Des Moines. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NevadaLincoln Highway | Story County | 42.0083, -93.3819 | Public | |
| Orient AreaHenry A Wallace Road | Adair County | 41.2473, -94.3538 | Public | |
| Benton County61st Street | Benton County |
| 42.1359, -92.1265 | Public |
| KeotaKeokuk Washington Road | Washington County | 41.3435, -91.9424 | Public | |
| La Porte CityCedar Valley Nature Trail | Black Hawk County | 42.3215, -92.1875 | Public | |
| Red Oak170 Street | Montgomery County |
| 41.0566, -95.2851 | Public |
| Shell RockState Highway 3 | Butler County | 42.7266, -92.5863 | Public | |
| Black Hawk CountyNorth Elk Run Road | Black Hawk County |
| 42.5218, -92.2549 | Public |
| Grundy County | Grundy County | 40.1196, -93.5296 | Public | |
| Gentry County | Gentry County | 40.2077, -94.3754 | Public | |
| Bremer County160th Street | Bremer County |
| 42.8225, -92.3273 | Public |
| Daviess County215th Street | Daviess County | 39.9653, -93.9975 | Public | |
| Skunk River gravels near Mount PleasantOakland Mills Road | Henry County | 40.9474, -91.5719 | Public | |
| GallatinPepper Avenue | Daviess County | 39.9193, -93.9405 | Public | |
| Emmetsburg360th Street | Palo Alto County | 43.1302, -94.7027 | Public | |
| New LondonJoyce & Ted's Place | Henry County | 40.8799, -91.3906 | Public | |
| Livingston County | Livingston County | 39.7545, -93.5739 | Public | |
| GraettingerRobins Avenue | Palo Alto County | 43.2367, -94.7414 | Public | |
| Muscatine (agate)County Road G44X | Louisa County | 41.3185, -91.1561 | Public | |
| Fayette CountyEcho Valley Road | Fayette County | 42.9470, -91.7751 | Public | |
| Burlington (geodes)Starrs Cave Road | Des Moines County | 40.8521, -91.1493 | Public | |
| Little Nemaha River | Nemaha County | 40.4043, -95.8280 | Public | |
| Burlington (Lake Superior agate)Flint River Trail | Des Moines County | 40.8320, -91.0984 | Public | |
| Blue EarthEast Fork Street | Faribault County | 43.6402, -94.0840 | Public | |
| OmahaTwo Rivers Recreation Road | Douglas County | 41.2254, -96.3586 | Public |
Agates near Des Moines FAQ
Where can I find agates near Des Moines?+
27 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Des Moines report agate. The closest is Nevada in Story County County, roughly 32 miles away (40 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Des Moines?+
27 of the 27 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 Des Moines do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 32 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 145 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Des Moines
Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Des Moines 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.
