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Washougal: Moss Agate & Amethyst Rockhounding in Clark County, Washington

Updated June 2026

Gravel bars along the Washougal River yield moss agate, carnelian, jasper, and petrified wood weathered from the surrounding volcanic terrain. The best collecting follows high water, when receding flows expose fresh gravel along the bars. The only documented amethyst in the area is a small amount of amethystine quartz on a mine dump upriver in Skamania County, not the Clark County riverbank. Reported finds include moss agate, amethyst. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Washougal photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Map showing Washougal in Clark County, Washington

Quick details

Access
Permission required
Nearest road
Southeast 10th Street
Postcode
98671

Geology at Washougal

This spot sits on ground mapped as mass-wasting deposits, mostly landslides that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Tough silica like agate and jasper typically survives weathering and collects as float in drainages and gravel.

Mapped unit
mass-wasting deposits, mostly landslides
Age
3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Elevation
570 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 Washougal

Best months: February to November. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 44°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 33°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SKAMANIA FISH HATCHERY station (3 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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:

Found at Washougal

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 Washougal.

Across the state line from Washougal

Washougal is close enough to the Washington border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Washougal FAQ

Where is Washougal?+
Washougal is in Clark County, Washington, at 45.61650, -122.27351. Nearest road: Southeast 10th Street.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Washougal?+
Washougal is reported to produce Moss Agate, Amethyst.
Is collecting allowed at Washougal?+
Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
What tools should I bring to Washougal?+
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 Washougal?+
The most comfortable months at Washougal are February to November.
How do I get to Washougal?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 45.61650, -122.27351 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Southeast 10th Street.

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