Agates near Peoria, IL
13 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Peoria report agate. The closest is Bishop Hill, about 45 miles out (56 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 Peoria, Illinois
Closest agates spots to Peoria
- Bishop HillHenry County, Illinois45 mi · 56 min driveAgate, Jasper
- Burlington (Lake Superior agate)Des Moines County, Iowa80 mi · 1 hr 39 min driveLake Superior Agate
- CordovaRock Island County, Illinois80 mi · 1 hr 40 min driveAgate
- Burlington (geodes)Des Moines County, Iowa82 mi · 1 hr 43 min driveLake Superior Agate, Quartz, Geode
- Muscatine (agate)Louisa County, Iowa92 mi · 1 hr 56 min driveLake Superior Agate, Moss Agate, Chalcedony
- HamiltonHancock County, Illinois95 mi · 1 hr 58 min driveAgate, Jasper, Geode
Types of agates reported near Peoria
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate7
- Lake Superior Agate6
- Moss Agate3
- Oolitic Agates1
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Peoria
Sorted by distance from Peoria. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop HillCemetary Street | Henry County | 41.2051, -90.1152 | Public | |
| Burlington (Lake Superior agate)Flint River Trail | Des Moines County | 40.8320, -91.0984 | Public | |
| CordovaRiver Road North | Rock Island County | 41.7160, -90.3112 | Public | |
| Burlington (geodes)Starrs Cave Road | Des Moines County | 40.8521, -91.1493 | Public | |
| Muscatine (agate)County Road G44X | Louisa County | 41.3185, -91.1561 | Public | |
| HamiltonSouth 9th Street | Hancock County | 40.3872, -91.3462 | Public | |
| New LondonJoyce & Ted's Place | Henry County | 40.8799, -91.3906 | Public | |
| Skunk River gravels near Mount PleasantOakland Mills Road | Henry County | 40.9474, -91.5719 | Public | |
| La GrangeWharf Street | Lewis County | 40.0469, -91.4958 | Public | |
| BellevueGreat River Road | Jackson County |
| 42.2313, -90.4017 | Public |
| KeotaKeokuk Washington Road | Washington County | 41.3435, -91.9424 | Public | |
| Old MonroeEast Sycamore Road | Lincoln County | 38.9307, -90.7431 | Public | |
| DubuqueRiverside Road | Dubuque County | 42.5762, -90.6824 | Permission |
Agates near Peoria FAQ
Where can I find agates near Peoria?+
13 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Peoria report agate. The closest is Bishop Hill in Henry County County, roughly 45 miles away (56 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Peoria?+
12 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 Peoria do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 45 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 142 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
