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Where to Find Geodes near Des Moines, IA

31 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Des Moines report geode. The closest is Union, about 55 miles out (1 hr 8 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.

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Every geode spot within 150 miles of Des Moines

Types of geodes reported near Des Moines

Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.

Geodes near Des Moines FAQ

Where can I find geodes near Des Moines?+
31 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Des Moines report geode. The closest is Union in Hardin County, roughly 55 miles away (1 hr 8 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect geodes on public land near Des Moines?+
30 of the 31 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 Des Moines do I need to drive?+
The nearest geode spot is about 55 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

All rockhounding near Des Moines →Where to Find Agates near Des Moines →Crystal Hunting near Des Moines →Fossil Hunting near Des Moines →Where to Find Petrified Wood near Des Moines →
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