RockHoundR

Rockhounding in Texas

Updated August 2026

95 mapped spots for rock hunting and rock collecting across 50 counties. Texas rockhounding spans agate fields in the Big Bend region, petrified palm wood across the south and east, and limestone fossils across most of the state. Public-collecting opportunities are concentrated on TPWD lands and a network of fee-dig sites.

Where is the best rockhounding in Texas?

The best rockhounding in Texas is at Colorado River at Smithville in Bastrop County (petrified palm wood, petrified wood), Llanite Roadcut on Highway 16 in Llano County (llanite, blue quartz), and Mineral Wells Fossil Park in Palo Pinto County (crinoid stem, brachiopod). In total, 95 mapped collecting spots across 50 counties produce agate, jasper, and petrified wood, each listed below with its land access.

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Every rockhounding spot in Texas

Texas rockhounding photos

Representative spot and material photos from locations in this state, shown where verified public image records are available.

5 photos

Top minerals found in Texas

Counts reflect how many spots in this list mention each mineral.

Notable areas: Balmorhea agate, Big Bend agate (outside the park), Texas petrified palm wood, and Cretaceous fossils are common targets.

Geology behind Texas rockhounding

Texas is over 95% private land, so access matters as much as geology. The Big Bend region exposes Cretaceous limestones and Tertiary volcanics, including sources for Balmorhea blue agate and Big Bend plume agate. The Eagle Ford and Austin Chalk produce ammonites and shark teeth. South and east Texas Pleistocene gravels yield petrified palm wood, the state stone.

Best regions to focus your search

Big Bend region (West Texas)

Balmorhea blue agate (Stillwell, Woodward, Walker ranches, fee-dig only), Big Bend plume agates, opal, and red plume jasper. National park is off-limits.

Central Texas

Cretaceous fossils (ammonites, oysters, mosasaur fragments) in road cuts and creek beds. Ladonia Fossil Park (paleontology park) is open to the public.

South & East Texas

Texas petrified palm wood in Pleistocene gravels along the Brazos, Colorado, and Sabine rivers. Often on private ranchland, get permission.

Texas Gulf Coast

Shark teeth, agatized coral, petrified wood, and Pleistocene shells on public beaches like Galveston, North Padre, and Bolivar.

Best season

October through April for Big Bend. For Central Texas fossils, spring creek floods can refresh gravel bars. Gulf Coast beach hunting improves after fronts push shells and gravel onshore.

What to bring

West Texas: rattlesnake-aware boots, gallon-per-person water, sun shade. Fossil hunting: a small pick, brushes, and consolidant for fragile finds. Beach: a mesh bag and a stiff sifter.

Local collecting history

Texas petrified palm wood was designated the state stone in 1969. Big Bend agate hunting dates back to ranch lease arrangements set up in the 1950s, many of the same families (Woodward, Stillwell) still operate the fee digs today.

Rockhounding near major Texas cities

Day-trip range. Each section lists the closest mapped rockhounding spots within about 150 miles of the city. Most are inside a 2 to 3 hour drive.

Rockhounding near Houston

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6 closest spots to Houston, TX.

Rockhounding near San Antonio

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6 closest spots to San Antonio, TX.

  • New BraunfelsComal County · Petrified Wood31 mi39 min drive
  • Erdman FarmKarnes County · Petrified Palm Wood, Opalized Wood41 mi51 min drive
  • Tessman FarmKarnes County · Agatized Palm Wood41 mi51 min drive
  • Road cut on E side of US 87Gillespie County · Fossil56 mi1 hr 10 min drive
  • Amethyst Hill on Althaus RanchBlanco County · Amethyst, Citrine61 mi1 hr 16 min drive
  • Stream gravels around FredericksburgGillespie County · Almandine Garnet62 mi1 hr 18 min drive

Rockhounding near Dallas

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6 closest spots to Dallas, TX.

Neighboring states with rockhounding

Geology rarely respects state borders. These states share mapped rockhounding country with Texas, useful when Texas is the start, not the whole trip. Each card links to the closest county across the line.

Rockhounding by county in Texas

County pages are linked once we have at least 3 mapped spots for a focused guide with coordinates, mineral notes, and nearby spots.

Top picks in Texas

10 best spots

Hand-picked standouts from the Texas list, chosen for unusual mineralogy, documented public access, or both. Each card links to coordinates, access notes, and what to look for.

Rock and mineral clubs in Texas

25 clubs in Texas. Clubs run field trips, shows and workshops, and many trips go to private claims you can't reach alone.

All 25 Texas clubs →

Texas rockhounding FAQ

Is rockhounding legal in Texas?+
Mostly only on fee-dig ranches, designated public sites (Ladonia Fossil Park, public Gulf beaches), and a small number of TPWD wildlife management areas with site-specific rules. Texas is 95%+ private land, you cannot legally collect off the highway shoulder or on private ranchland without explicit permission.
Can I collect agate in Big Bend National Park?+
No. Big Bend National Park does not allow collecting rocks, minerals, plants, or fossils. Big Bend agate is collected on surrounding private ranches, including Woodward Ranch, Stillwell, and Walker, that operate as fee-dig sites.
Where can I find Texas petrified palm wood?+
In Pleistocene gravels along the Brazos, Colorado, and Sabine rivers, plus exposures across south and east Texas. Most known sites are on private land, get permission. Some river gravel bars on TPWD wildlife management areas are open under WMA-specific rules.
Are shark teeth legal to collect on Texas beaches?+
Yes. Hand collection of common shark teeth, fossil shells, and beach gravel is allowed on Texas public beaches (Galveston, Mustang Island, North Padre, Bolivar) for personal use. Don't dig dunes or remove live shells.
What rocks and minerals can you find in Texas?+
Common targets include Balmorhea blue agate, Big Bend plume agates, Texas petrified palm wood (the state stone), Cretaceous ammonites and shark teeth, agatized coral, and Llano uplift granite minerals (smoky quartz, feldspar).
Where can I go rock hunting in Texas?+
Rock hunting, rock collecting and rockhounding are the same hobby under different names. 95 spots are mapped in Texas, 89 of them with public access. Brewster County, Hudspeth County, and Llano County have the most.
Is there gem mining or pay-to-dig in Texas?+
No fee digs or pay-to-dig gem mines are mapped in Texas yet. 89 of the 95 spots here have public access, so you can collect without paying a dig fee.
Where can I dig for crystals in Texas?+
11 mapped spots in Texas report quartz, amethyst, or smoky quartz, mostly in Llano County, Mason County, and Brewster County. Each one is in the list on this page with its land access.
Can you find geodes in Texas?+
Yes. 1 mapped spot in Texas reports geodes, mostly in Brewster County.
Where can I go fossil hunting in Texas?+
9 mapped spots in Texas report fossils, mostly in Ellis County, Wise County, and Burleson County. On federal land you may keep common shells, corals and plant fossils. Bones and teeth of animals with a backbone are protected.

Map every Texas spot in the app

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