Agates near Portland, OR
73 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Portland report agate. The closest is Washougal, about 21 miles out (26 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 73 agate collecting spots within 150 miles of Portland, Oregon
Closest agates spots to Portland
- WashougalClark County, Washington21 mi · 26 min driveMoss Agate, Amethyst
- Lake Merwin Area CarneliansCowlitz County, Washington32 mi · 40 min driveAgate, Carnelian
- Clackamas RiverClackamas County, Oregon32 mi · 40 min drivePetrified Wood, Cinnabar, Agate
- Clear CreekColumbia County, Oregon35 mi · 44 min drivePlume Agate, Carnelian, Jasper
- KelsoCowlitz County, Washington39 mi · 49 min driveAgate
- Clackamas RiverClackamas County, Oregon43 mi · 53 min drivePetrified Wood, Cinnabar, Agate
Types of agates reported near Portland
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate64
- Moss Agate4
- Blue Agate2
- Plume Agate2
- Banded Agate1
- Polka Dot Agate1
- Purple Agate1
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Portland
Sorted by distance from Portland. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
Agates near Portland FAQ
Where can I find agates near Portland?+
73 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Portland report agate. The closest is Washougal in Clark County, roughly 21 miles away (26 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Portland?+
49 of the 73 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 Portland do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 21 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 148 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Portland
Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Portland 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.
