Hinton Creek: Chalcedony & Chert Rockhounding in San Saba County, Texas

Updated June 2026

Hinton Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in San Saba County, Texas. Reported finds include chalcedony, chert. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: San Saba County
State: Texas
Nearest road: Co 364
Coordinates: 31.01451, -99.06455

Geology at Hinton Creek

This spot sits on Marble Falls Limestone, mapped as limestone that formed roughly 325 to 300 million years ago. Chert and agate nodules typically form inside carbonate rock like this and weather out as tough, waxy lumps in soils and creek beds.

Mapped unit: Marble Falls Limestone
Age: 325–300 Ma (Pennsylvanian)
Rock types: limestone
Elevation: 1,530 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 Hinton Creek

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 94°F in midsummer and 59°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 36°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BRADY station (19 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.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Bureau of Economic Geology — Texas geology
Big Bend National Park — Rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Hinton Creek

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 Hinton Creek.

Hinton Creek FAQ

Where is Hinton Creek?+

Hinton Creek is in San Saba County, Texas, at 31.01451, -99.06455. Nearest road: Co 364.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Hinton Creek?+

Hinton Creek is reported to produce Chalcedony, Chert.

Is collecting allowed at Hinton Creek?+

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. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Hinton Creek?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Hinton Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Hinton Creek are September to May.

How do I get to Hinton Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 31.01451, -99.06455 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Co 364.

More rockhounding in Texas

See all 94 Texas spots →

Open Hinton Creek on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.