Rockhounding near New Orleans, LA
15 mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of New Orleans, most inside a 2 to 3 hour drive, 13 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 Louisiana, Mississippi.
Every rock collecting spot within 150 miles of New Orleans
Best spotOld Pearl RiverSt. Tammany Parish, Louisiana · 40 mi awayPermission required · Agate
Bogue Chitto RiverSt. Tammany Parish, Louisiana · 45 mi awayPermission required · Agate
Lake ChienTerrebonne Parish, Louisiana · 45 mi awayPublic access · Lapearlite- Tangipahoa ParishTangipahoa Parish, Louisiana · 50 mi awayPublic access · Carnelian
- Livingston ParishLivingston Parish, Louisiana · 52 mi awayPublic access · Carnelian
Best spotTangipahoa River & StreamsTangipahoa Parish, Louisiana · 59 mi awayPublic access · Agate- Bell CreekHarrison County, Mississippi · 61 mi awayPublic access · Agate
Best spotGulfportHarrison County, Mississippi · 65 mi awayPublic access · Jasper, Petrified Wood- Baton RougeLivingston Parish, Louisiana · 68 mi awayPublic access · Agate
Best spotAmite River ValleyEast Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana · 70 mi awayPublic access · Agate
Best spotEast & West Feliciana ParishesEast Feliciana Parish, Louisiana · 83 mi awayPublic access · Agate- Homochitto RiverAmite County, Mississippi · 110 mi awayPublic access · Agate
Best spotWessonCopiah County, Mississippi · 123 mi awayPublic access · Banded Agate, Chalcedony, Petrified Wood
Best spotAdams CountyAdams County, Mississippi · 134 mi awayPublic access · Banded Agate
Best spotWaynesboroWayne County, Mississippi · 147 mi awayPublic access · Fossil, Petrified Palm Wood
Most-reported finds near New Orleans
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each material.
- Agate8
- Banded Agate2
- Carnelian2
- Petrified Wood2
- Chalcedony1
- Fossil1
- Jasper1
- Lapearlite1
- Petrified Palm Wood1
Hunting something specific near New Orleans?
These materials have enough dedicated spots around New Orleans to earn their own page, with distances and a separate map.
New Orleans rockhounding FAQ
Where can I go rockhounding near New Orleans?+
There are 15 mapped rockhounding spots within about 150 miles of New Orleans, Louisiana. The closest is Old Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish, roughly 40 miles away. Every one is listed on this page, closest first.
What rocks and minerals can you find near New Orleans?+
Spots within driving distance of New Orleans most commonly produce agate, banded agate, carnelian, petrified wood, chalcedony, fossil.
Is rockhounding legal near New Orleans?+
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 New Orleans?+
13 of the 15 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 New Orleans?+
Most weekend trips from New Orleans 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 New Orleans's rockhounding map in your pocket
Open RockHoundR for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds, wherever the drive takes you.
