Crescent Beach: Agate & Chert Rockhounding in Clallam County, Washington

Q: Where is Crescent Beach?

Crescent Beach is in Clallam County, Washington, at 48.16121, -123.70942. Nearest road: Crescent Beach Road.

Q: What rocks and minerals can you find at Crescent Beach?

Crescent Beach is reported to produce Agate, Chert, Jasper.

Q: Is collecting allowed at Crescent Beach?

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.

Q: What tools should I bring to Crescent Beach?

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.

Q: When is the best time to visit Crescent Beach?

Crescent Beach is workable year-round.

Q: How do I get to Crescent Beach?

Open the directions link to navigate to 48.16121, -123.70942 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Crescent Beach Road.

Public accessBest spot3 mineralsClallam County, WashingtonUpdated June 2026

Minerals reported: 3
Elevation: 10 ft
Best months: Year-round

Agates were once plentiful enough at Agate Bay, just west of Crescent Bay on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, to give the beach its name, and agate still weathers from the local basalt alongside variously colored chert and jasper. The setting on the northern Olympic Peninsula makes it one of the few documented agate beaches on the strait. Reported finds include agate, chert, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

County: Clallam County
State: Washington
Nearest road: Crescent Beach Road
Coordinates: 48.16121, -123.70942

Get directions View on Google Maps

Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

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.

Access note: The named Crescent Beach parcel is privately operated with a per-person day-use fee, but the adjacent Salt Creek Recreation Area, a free Clallam County park at Tongue Point, offers public beach access to the same shoreline. Collect only loose beach material and stay out of the protected Tongue Point tide pools.

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.

Best time to visit Crescent Beach

46°J

48°F

51°M

55°A

60°M

64°J

69°J

71°A

67°S

58°O

50°N

46°D

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 46°F in winter to 69°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PORT ANGELES FAIRCHILD INTL AP station (10 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Geology at Crescent Beach

This spot sits on beach deposits, mapped as sand and gravel that formed within roughly the last 12,000 years. Gravels like these concentrate whatever survives the river: agate, jasper, and other tough silica typically show up as rounded, waxy stones.

Mapped unit: beach deposits
Age: < 1 Ma (Holocene)
Rock types: sand and gravel
Elevation: 10 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.

Today's weather

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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

Washington Geological Survey (DNR)
Stonerose Interpretive Center, Visit & rules
BLM Spokane District
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Crescent Beach

Each name 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 Crescent Beach.

Lake CrescentClallam County, Washington · 12 mi awayJasper
DungenessClallam County, Washington · 27 mi awayAgate, Orbicular Jasper
SapphoClallam County, Washington · 27 mi awayAgate, Orbicular Jasper
Sol Duc RiverClallam County, Washington · 40 mi awayAgate, Chert, Jasper
Ozette RiverClallam County, Washington · 44 mi awayGold
Shi Shi BeachClallam County, Washington · 45 mi awayGold, Iridosmine, Platinum
La PushClallam County, Washington · 46 mi awayAgate, Jasper
KalalochJefferson County, Washington · 49 mi awayAgate, Jasper

Crescent Beach FAQ

Where is Crescent Beach?+

Crescent Beach is in Clallam County, Washington, at 48.16121, -123.70942. Nearest road: Crescent Beach Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Crescent Beach?+

Crescent Beach is reported to produce Agate, Chert, Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Crescent Beach?+

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 Crescent Beach?+

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 Crescent Beach?+

Crescent Beach is workable year-round.

How do I get to Crescent Beach?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 48.16121, -123.70942 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Crescent Beach Road.

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