Where to Find Agates near Moab, UT
24 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Moab report agate. The closest is Colorado River, about 3 miles out (3 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.
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Moab
Colorado RiverGrand County, Utah · 3 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Chert +4
SE Grand CountyGrand County, Utah · 5 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Chert +2
Monitor ButteGrand County, Utah · 12 mi awayPublic access · Agate
Thompson SpringsGrand County, Utah · 18 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Agatized Clam, Jasper +5
Poison StripGrand County, Utah · 19 mi awayCheck locally · Carnotite, Agate, Petrified Wood +1
Dewey Bridge AgateGrand County, Utah · 21 mi awayPublic access · Agate
Thompson SpringsGrand County, Utah · 22 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Agatized Clam, Anhydrite +5
Owl Draw AgateGrand County, Utah · 23 mi awayPublic access · Agate
Pigeon Blood AgatesGrand County, Utah · 29 mi awayPublic access · Agate
AgateGrand County, Utah · 35 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Chert +4
San Rafael RiverEmery County, Utah · 50 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Anhydrite, Carnotite +5
Best spotSan Rafael SwellEmery County, Utah · 58 mi awayPublic access · Agatized Wood, Amethyst, Carnotite +6
WoodsideEmery County, Utah · 61 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Carnotite, Chalcedony +4
San Rafael SwellEmery County, Utah · 62 mi awayPublic access · Jasper, Agate, Nodule +1
Best spotHanksvilleWayne County, Utah · 65 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Jasper, Petrified Wood
HanksvilleWayne County, Utah · 68 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Jasper, Petrified Wood
Cedar Mountain areaEmery County, Utah · 70 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Anhydrite, Carnotite +4
Castle DaleEmery County, Utah · 85 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Agatized Dinosaur Bone, Petrified Wood
Sweet Water CanyonUintah County, Utah · 88 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +1
Circle CliffsGarfield County, Utah · 94 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +2
EmerySevier County, Utah · 99 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Jasperized Dinosaur Bone
TorreyWayne County, Utah · 102 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Jasper, Petrified Dinosaur Bone +1
EscalanteGarfield County, Utah · 123 mi awayPermission required · Petrified Dinosaur Bone, Agate, Monazite +1
Last Chance MineMineral County, Colorado · 150 mi awayFee dig · Amethyst, Agate, Chalcedony +7
Agates near Moab FAQ
Where can I find agates near Moab?+
24 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Moab report agate. The closest is Colorado River in Grand County, roughly 3 miles away (3 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Moab?+
19 of the 24 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.
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 Moab do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 3 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 150 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
