Agates near St. Louis, MO
8 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of St. Louis report agate. The closest is Old Monroe, about 36 miles out (45 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 8 agate collecting spots within 150 miles of St. Louis, Missouri
Closest agates spots to St. Louis
- Old MonroeLincoln County, Missouri36 mi · 45 min driveLake Superior Agate, Garnet, Staurolite
- Cape Girardeau CountyCape Girardeau County, Missouri91 mi · 1 hr 53 min driveAgate, Petrified Wood
- Marble Hill E General AreaBollinger County, Missouri94 mi · 1 hr 58 min driveAgate, Petrified Wood
- ThebesAlexander County, Illinois104 mi · 2 hr 10 min driveAgate, Jasper
- FayvilleAlexander County, Illinois107 mi · 2 hr 13 min driveAgate, Jasper, Diamond
- La GrangeLewis County, Missouri120 mi · 2 hr 30 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
Types of agates reported near St. Louis
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate6
- Blue Agate1
- Gray Agate1
- Lake Superior Agate1
- Pink Agate1
- White Agate1
Every agate spot within 150 miles of St. Louis
Sorted by distance from St. Louis. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old MonroeEast Sycamore Road | Lincoln County | 38.9307, -90.7431 | Public | |
| Cape Girardeau CountyClark Street | Cape Girardeau County | 37.3888, -89.6517 | Public | |
| Marble Hill E General AreaCounty Road 402 | Bollinger County | 37.2821, -89.9233 | Public | |
| ThebesOld Route 3 | Alexander County | 37.2393, -89.4422 | Public | |
| FayvilleThebes Road | Alexander County | 37.1986, -89.4522 | Public | |
| La GrangeWharf Street | Lewis County | 40.0469, -91.4958 | Public | |
| HamiltonSouth 9th Street | Hancock County | 40.3872, -91.3462 | Public | |
| DexterMO D | New Madrid County |
| 36.6143, -89.9624 | Public |
Agates near St. Louis FAQ
Where can I find agates near St. Louis?+
8 mapped spots within about 150 miles of St. Louis report agate. The closest is Old Monroe in Lincoln County County, roughly 36 miles away (45 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near St. Louis?+
8 of the 8 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 St. Louis do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 36 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 140 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from St. Louis
Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around St. Louis 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.
