Where to Find Geodes near Pocatello, ID
4 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Pocatello report geode. The closest is Big Lost River, about 67 miles out (1 hr 24 min drive).
Geodes are hollow, roughly spherical rocks lined with crystals, most often quartz, amethyst, or calcite. They weather out of limestone and volcanic host rock and concentrate in creek gravels and hillside float.
Every geode spot within 150 miles of Pocatello
Big Lost RiverButte County, Idaho · 67 mi awayPermission required · Geode, Amethyst
Antelope Creek areaButte County, Idaho · 80 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Quartz, Amethyst
General Area (near Jackpot, NV border)Twin Falls County, Idaho · 126 mi awayPublic access · Geode
Pole CreekBlaine County, Idaho · 136 mi awayPublic access · Geode, Amethyst, Quartz
Geodes near Pocatello FAQ
Where can I find geodes near Pocatello?+
4 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Pocatello report geode. The closest is Big Lost River in Butte County, roughly 67 miles away (1 hr 24 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect geodes on public land near Pocatello?+
3 of the 4 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.
How do I know if a rock is a geode before cracking it open?+
Candidates are rounder and lighter than solid rocks of the same size, with a bumpy cauliflower surface. Shake one next to your ear: loose crystals sometimes rattle. The only sure test is opening it with a cross-peen hammer or a soil pipe cutter, which gives cleaner halves than a flat smash.
How far from Pocatello do I need to drive?+
The nearest geode spot is about 67 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 136 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
