Liberty: Agate & Chalcedony Nodules Rockhounding in Kittitas County, Washington

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Kittitas County

State

Washington

Nearest road

Forest Road 9718-118

Coordinates

47.27269, -120.63365

Geology at Liberty

This spot sits on Swauk Formation, mapped as continental sedimentary deposits or rocks that formed roughly 56 to 34 million years ago. Tough silica like agate, jasper, and chert typically weathers out of beds like these and collects as float in drainages and on deflation surfaces.

Mapped unit

Swauk Formation

Age

56–34 Ma (Eocene)

Rock types

continental sedimentary deposits or rocks

Elevation

3,700 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 Liberty

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 75°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 16°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CLE ELUM station (14 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

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

Found at Liberty

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

• AgateEncyclopedia →
• Chalcedony NodulesEncyclopedia →