Agates near Florence, SC
13 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Florence report agate. The closest is Myrtle Beach, about 61 miles out (1 hr 17 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 13 agate collecting spots within 150 miles of Florence, South Carolina
Closest agates spots to Florence
- Myrtle BeachHorry County, South Carolina61 mi · 1 hr 17 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Quartz
- Cumberland CountyCumberland County, North Carolina71 mi · 1 hr 28 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- Cape Fear River and tributariesCumberland County, North Carolina81 mi · 1 hr 41 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- ConcordCabarrus County, North Carolina94 mi · 1 hr 58 min driveAgate, Carnelian, Chalcedony
- CaldwellMecklenburg County, North Carolina107 mi · 2 hr 13 min driveAgate, Carnelian, Chalcedony
- Kiawah IslandCharleston County, South Carolina112 mi · 2 hr 20 min driveMegalodon Teeth, Shark Teeth, Agate
Types of agates reported near Florence
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate10
- Moss Agate2
- Savannah River Agate1
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Florence
Sorted by distance from Florence. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle BeachMyrtle Beach Boardwalk | Horry County |
| 33.6879, -78.8822 | Public |
| Cumberland CountyFreedom Lane | Cumberland County | 34.9592, -78.9394 | Public | |
| Cape Fear River and tributariesHijacked | Cumberland County | 35.1012, -78.8569 | Public | |
| ConcordShadowcrest Drive Southwest | Cabarrus County | 35.3619, -80.6279 | Public | |
| CaldwellBailey Road | Mecklenburg County | 35.4655, -80.8270 | Public | |
| Kiawah IslandBoardwalk 29 | Charleston County |
| 32.6017, -80.0831 | Public |
| MooresvilleIsland Point Road | Catawba County | 35.6210, -80.9530 | Public | |
| Statesville | Iredell County | 35.7292, -80.8815 | Public | |
| Chapel HillBolin Creek Trail | Orange County | 35.9248, -79.0453 | Public | |
| Girard | Burke County |
| 33.0663, -81.6460 | Public |
| HillsboroughBen Johnston Road | Orange County | 36.0713, -79.1314 | Public | |
| CasarGolden Valley Road | Cleveland County | 35.5120, -81.6531 | Public | |
| ButnerOld Oxford Road | Durham County | 36.1270, -78.8245 | Public |
Agates near Florence FAQ
Where can I find agates near Florence?+
13 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Florence report agate. The closest is Myrtle Beach in Horry County County, roughly 61 miles away (1 hr 17 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Florence?+
13 of the 13 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 Florence do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 61 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 144 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Florence
Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Florence 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.
