Flint Ridge: Agate & Amethyst Rockhounding in Licking County, Ohio
Updated July 2026
Flint Ridge is the source of Ohio flint, the state's official gemstone since 1965, a Vanport chert that runs in vivid reds, pinks, blues, and greens found almost nowhere else at this quality. Native peoples quarried the ridge for thousands of years and traded the stone across half the continent, and it remains the defining rockhounding locality in Ohio. The colorful, quartz-rich flint takes a polish that rivals many gemstones. Reported finds include agate, amethyst, carnelian, chalcedony, chert, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Flint Ridge photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Flint Ridge in Licking County, Ohio
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Licking County
- State
- Ohio
- Nearest road
- Flint Ridge Road Southeast
- Postcode
- 43056
- Coordinates
- 39.98973, -82.26518
Geology at Flint Ridge
This spot sits on Allegheny and Pottsville Groups, Undivided, mapped as shale and siltstone that formed roughly 325 to 300 million years ago. Tough silica like agate, jasper, and chert typically weathers out of beds like these and collects as float in drainages and on deflation surfaces.
- Mapped unit
- Allegheny and Pottsville Groups, Undivided
- Age
- 325–300 Ma (Pennsylvanian)
- Rock types
- shale and siltstone
- Elevation
- 1,210 ft
Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.
Best time to visit Flint Ridge
Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 17°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, NEWARK WTR WKS station (10 mi away), adjusted for elevation.
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Sources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.
Found at Flint Ridge
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Flint Ridge.
- Licking & Muskingum CountiesLicking County, Ohio · 8 mi awayFlint, Chalcedony, Quartz
- Muskingum CountyMuskingum County, Ohio · 18 mi awayAgate, Amethyst, Carnelian
- Perry CountyPerry County, Ohio · 19 mi awayFlint Nodules
- Coshocton CountyTop pick in OhioCoshocton County, Ohio · 27 mi awayDark Gray Flint, Black Flint
- ColumbusFranklin County, Ohio · 40 mi awayPyrite
- Benton TownshipHocking County, Ohio · 43 mi awayFlint
- Holmes CountyHolmes County, Ohio · 43 mi awayFlint
- Delaware CountyDelaware County, Ohio · 50 mi awayPyrite
Across the state line from Flint Ridge
Flint Ridge is close enough to the Ohio border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
Flint Ridge FAQ
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More rockhounding in Ohio
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