Ringold: Agate Rockhounding in Franklin County, Washington
Updated June 2026
Iron-stained gravels at the base of the White Bluffs, on the east side of the Columbia River from Byers Landing to Ringold, hold frequent agate and jasper, the agate chiefly gray and buff chalcedony with some red hues. The Ringold Springs access here is Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife land on the Franklin County bank, outside Hanford Reach National Monument. Reported finds include agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Ringold photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Ringold in Franklin County, Washington
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Franklin County
- State
- Washington
- Nearest road
- Ringold River Road
- Coordinates
- 46.48845, -119.24857
Geology at Ringold
This spot sits on Missoula, glacial Lake, deposits of, mapped as outburst flood deposits and gravel that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Gravels like these concentrate whatever survives the river: agate, jasper, and other tough silica typically show up as rounded, waxy stones.
- Mapped unit
- Missoula, glacial Lake, deposits of
- Age
- 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene)
- Rock types
- outburst flood deposits and gravel
- Elevation
- 640 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 Ringold
Best months: February to November. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 27°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ELTOPIA 8 WSW station (8 mi away).
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:
- Washington Geological Survey (DNR)
- Stonerose Interpretive Center — Visit & rules
- BLM Spokane District
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Ringold
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 Ringold.
- Rattlesnake Mt.Benton County, Washington · 19 mi awayPetrified Wood, Opalized Wood
- MattawaGrant County, Washington · 35 mi awayOpalized Wood
- Cairn Hope PeakYakima County, Washington · 35 mi awayPetrified Wood, Opalized Wood
- Horse Heaven HillsBenton County, Washington · 38 mi awayOpalized Wood
- Columbia RiverTop pick in WashingtonKittitas County, Washington · 41 mi awayOpalized Wood, Petrified Wood
- MabtonYakima County, Washington · 42 mi awayPetrified Wood, Opalized Wood
- Petrified Forest State ParkKittitas County, Washington · 48 mi awayOpalized Wood, Petrified Wood
- BickletonKlickitat County, Washington · 69 mi awayAgate, Carnelian, Jasper
Ringold FAQ
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