Agates near Tucson, AZ
18 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Tucson report agate. The closest is York Area, about 113 miles out (2 hr 21 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 18 agate collecting spots within 150 miles of Tucson, Arizona
Closest agates spots to Tucson
- York AreaGreenlee County, Arizona113 mi · 2 hr 21 min driveFire Agate, Banded Agate, Carnelian
- 1 mi. N of old Three-Way drive-in theaterGreenlee County, Arizona113 mi · 2 hr 21 min driveFire Agate, Chalcedony
- Canyon to N of road 1 mi. S of Apache Nat. ForestGreenlee County, Arizona113 mi · 2 hr 22 min driveBlue Agate, Carnelian
- Ward CanyonGreenlee County, Arizona113 mi · 2 hr 22 min driveRed Agate
- Limestone GulchGreenlee County, Arizona114 mi · 2 hr 23 min driveAgate
- N of Mulligan PeakGreenlee County, Arizona115 mi · 2 hr 24 min drivePurple Agate
Types of agates reported near Tucson
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate13
- Fire Agate2
- Banded Agate1
- Blue Agate1
- Purple Agate1
- Red Agate1
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Tucson
Sorted by distance from Tucson. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
Agates near Tucson FAQ
Where can I find agates near Tucson?+
18 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Tucson report agate. The closest is York Area in Greenlee County County, roughly 113 miles away (2 hr 21 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Tucson?+
18 of the 18 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 Tucson do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 113 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 150 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Tucson
Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Tucson 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.
