Agates near Knoxville, TN
13 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Knoxville report agate. The closest is Jellico, about 42 miles out (52 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 Knoxville, Tennessee
Closest agates spots to Knoxville
- JellicoCampbell County, Tennessee42 mi · 52 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- UnakaCherokee County, North Carolina55 mi · 1 hr 9 min driveStaurolite, Agate, Epidote
- GreeneHawkins County, Tennessee65 mi · 1 hr 21 min driveCalcite, Celestite, Dolomite
- CookevillePutnam County, Tennessee85 mi · 1 hr 46 min driveAgate, Jasper
- ClarksvilleHabersham County, Georgia95 mi · 1 hr 59 min driveBanded Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Lake SummitHenderson County, North Carolina98 mi · 2 hr 3 min driveAgate
Types of agates reported near Knoxville
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate10
- Banded Agate3
- Horse Mountain Agate1
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Knoxville
Sorted by distance from Knoxville. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JellicoUS 25W | Campbell County | 36.5512, -84.0692 | Public | |
| UnakaBeaver Dam Loop | Cherokee County |
| 35.1839, -84.1541 | Public |
| GreeneHipshire Hollow Road | Hawkins County | 36.4245, -82.9167 | Public | |
| CookevillePoplar Grove Road | Putnam County | 36.1358, -85.4288 | Public | |
| ClarksvilleGA 17 | Habersham County | 34.6138, -83.5628 | Public | |
| Lake SummitSouth Lake Summit Road | Henderson County | 35.2220, -82.4300 | Public | |
| Mitchell CountyNC 261 | Mitchell County | 36.0555, -82.1350 | Public | |
| SummervilleMartha Berry Highway | Chattooga County | 34.4702, -85.3170 | Public | |
| CasarGolden Valley Road | Cleveland County | 35.5120, -81.6531 | Public | |
| Kingston | Bartow County | 34.2216, -84.9461 | Public | |
| State Fish HatcheryFish Hatchery Road | Chattooga County | 34.4570, -85.4148 | Public | |
| MurfreesboroMiddle Tennessee Boulevard | Rutherford County | 35.8552, -86.3704 | Public | |
| Horse MountainTuliptree Road | Bedford County |
| 35.5130, -86.4200 | Public |
Agates near Knoxville FAQ
Where can I find agates near Knoxville?+
13 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Knoxville report agate. The closest is Jellico in Campbell County County, roughly 42 miles away (52 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Knoxville?+
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 Knoxville do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 42 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 144 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Knoxville
Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Knoxville 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.
