Agates near Raleigh, NC
14 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Raleigh report agate. The closest is Chapel Hill, about 25 miles out (31 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 14 agate collecting spots within 150 miles of Raleigh, North Carolina
Closest agates spots to Raleigh
- Chapel HillOrange County, North Carolina25 mi · 31 min driveMoss Agate, Petrified Wood
- ButnerDurham County, North Carolina26 mi · 33 min driveAgate, Amethyst, Jasper
- CreedmoreGranville County, North Carolina30 mi · 37 min driveAgate, Jasper, Chalcedony
- HillsboroughOrange County, North Carolina34 mi · 43 min driveMoss Agate, Quartz
- Cape Fear River and tributariesCumberland County, North Carolina48 mi · 1 hr 1 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- Cumberland CountyCumberland County, North Carolina59 mi · 1 hr 14 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
Types of agates reported near Raleigh
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Raleigh
Sorted by distance from Raleigh. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel HillBolin Creek Trail | Orange County | 35.9248, -79.0453 | Public | |
| ButnerOld Oxford Road | Durham County | 36.1270, -78.8245 | Public | |
| Creedmore | Granville County | 36.2075, -78.6571 | Public | |
| HillsboroughBen Johnston Road | Orange County | 36.0713, -79.1314 | Public | |
| Cape Fear River and tributariesHijacked | Cumberland County | 35.1012, -78.8569 | Public | |
| Cumberland CountyFreedom Lane | Cumberland County | 34.9592, -78.9394 | Public | |
| DanburySheppard Mill Road | Stokes County | 36.4083, -80.2000 | Public | |
| ConcordShadowcrest Drive Southwest | Cabarrus County | 35.3619, -80.6279 | Public | |
| CaldwellBailey Road | Mecklenburg County | 35.4655, -80.8270 | Public | |
| Statesville | Iredell County | 35.7292, -80.8815 | Public | |
| MooresvilleIsland Point Road | Catawba County | 35.6210, -80.9530 | Public | |
| SalemFallbrooke Drive | Roanoke County | 37.2523, -80.1759 | Public | |
| TraphillTraphill Mill Road | Wilkes County | 36.3356, -81.0321 | Public | |
| Myrtle BeachMyrtle Beach Boardwalk | Horry County |
| 33.6879, -78.8822 | Public |
Agates near Raleigh FAQ
Where can I find agates near Raleigh?+
14 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Raleigh report agate. The closest is Chapel Hill in Orange County County, roughly 25 miles away (31 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Raleigh?+
14 of the 14 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 Raleigh do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 25 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 145 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Raleigh
Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Raleigh 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.
