Rockhounding near Houston, TX
21 mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Houston, most inside a 2 to 3 hour drive, 19 of them on public land. Below: every place to go rock hunting, closest first, with what each one produces and its land access.
Covering parts of Texas, Louisiana.
Every rock collecting spot within 150 miles of Houston
E of New CaneyMontgomery County, Texas · 29 mi awayPublic access · Jasper, Petrified Palm Wood
Best spotSam Houston National Forest (Double Lake)San Jacinto County, Texas · 56 mi awayPublic access · Petrified Palm Wood, Petrified Wood, Agate +2- Gibbons creekGrimes County, Texas · 71 mi awayPublic access · Tektite
- N of Lake LivingstonTrinity County, Texas · 78 mi awayPublic access · Petrified Palm Wood
- Broad area around BediasGrimes County, Texas · 78 mi awayPublic access · Tektite, Black Diamond, Fire Pearl
Nails Creek ParkLee County, Texas · 87 mi awayPermission required · Tektite- Btwn Groveton & TrinityTrinity County, Texas · 88 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +1
- Creek beds & hill slopes between Caldwell & SomervilleBurleson County, Texas · 89 mi awayPublic access · Petrified Wood, Agatized Wood
- N of CrossMadison County, Texas · 90 mi awayPublic access · Petrified Wood
- Large area btwn Camden and ChesterPolk County, Texas · 90 mi awayPublic access · Petrified Palm Wood
- Best spotWhiskey Bridge (Brazos River)Burleson County, Texas · 92 mi awayPublic access · Fossil Snail, Fossilized Shell, Coral +1
- Rabb's CreekFayette County, Texas · 93 mi awayPublic access · Petrified Wood, Opalized Wood
- Sabine Lake Public Oyster AreaCameron Parish, Louisiana · 93 mi awayPublic access · Lapearlite
- Large area between CrockettHouston County, Texas · 98 mi awayPublic access · Jasper, Agatized Wood
- MoultonLavaca County, Texas · 107 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Petrified Wood
- Best spotColorado River at SmithvilleBastrop County, Texas · 108 mi awayPublic access · Petrified Palm Wood, Petrified Wood, Agate
- Best spotDavy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake)Houston County, Texas · 112 mi awayPublic access · Petrified Wood, Agatized Wood, Jasper +2
- McGee Bend damJasper County, Texas · 117 mi awayPermission required · Agatized Wood
- Peach CreekGonzales County, Texas · 118 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Petrified Wood
- E of AustinTravis County, Texas · 134 mi awayPublic access · Agatized Wood, Petrified Palm Wood
- Road cut N of roadNacogdoches County, Texas · 135 mi awayPublic access · Pyrite, Selenite
Most-reported finds near Houston
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each material.
- Petrified Wood9
- Agate6
- Petrified Palm Wood6
- Agatized Wood5
- Jasper5
- Tektite3
- Chalcedony2
- Black Diamond1
- Carnelian1
- Coral1
- Fire Pearl1
- Fossil Snail1
Hunting something specific near Houston?
These materials have enough dedicated spots around Houston to earn their own page, with distances and a separate map.
Houston rockhounding FAQ
Where can I go rockhounding near Houston?+
There are 21 mapped rockhounding spots within about 150 miles of Houston, Texas. The closest is E of New Caney in Montgomery County, roughly 29 miles away. Every one is listed on this page, closest first.
What rocks and minerals can you find near Houston?+
Spots within driving distance of Houston most commonly produce petrified wood, agate, petrified palm wood, agatized wood, jasper, tektite.
Is rockhounding legal near Houston?+
Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Each spot page on this site lists access status; always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
Are there free places to rockhound near Houston?+
19 of the 21 spots here are mapped as public access, with no dig fee. Some sit in parks or forests that charge for parking or day use, so check with the land manager first.
How far do most rockhounders drive from Houston?+
Most weekend trips from Houston fall inside a 2 to 3 hour drive, which is roughly the 150-mile radius shown on this page. Closer spots are good for half-day outings; the outer ones are better as overnight trips.
More state coverage
The spots above span 2 states. Open the state page for the full county-by-county view.
Pack Houston's rockhounding map in your pocket
Open RockHoundR for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds, wherever the drive takes you.
