Where to Find Agates in Idaho: 19 Mapped Sites
Idaho has 19 documented sites where agates have been reported, and the best-known are Ada County, Lewiston, and Clearwater River. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 19 of the 19 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Agates Map: Idaho
All 19 agates sites in Idaho. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Agates Are Found in Idaho
Agates fill gas cavities in old lava flows, then outlast the host rock and concentrate in gravels. Hunt gravel bars, beaches, glacial till, and desert washes rather than solid outcrop.
The richest reported sites in Idaho: Ada County, Lewiston, Clearwater River, Salmon River, Bruneau Desert.
Local reporting distinguishes Banded Agate (2 sites), Red Agate (2 sites), Iris Agate (1 site), Moss Agate (1 site).
Of the 19 sites, 19 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Agates Sites in Idaho
- Ada County — Public Access
- Lewiston — Public Access
- Clearwater River — Public Access
- Salmon River — Public Access
- Bruneau Desert — Public Access
- Grouse Creek — Public Access
- Little Wood River — Public Access
- Carey — Public Access
- Cascade — Public Access
- Challis — Public Access
- Emmett — Public Access
- Homedale — Public Access
- Homedale (area) — Public Access
- Malm Gulch — Public Access
- Parker Mountain — Public Access
- Succor Creek — Public Access
- Bakers Hole — Public Access
- Meyers Cover — Public Access
- Sweet — Public Access
How to Identify Agates
Agate is banded chalcedony: a waxy-luster stone, hardness about 7, that breaks with a smooth conchoidal (shell-like) fracture instead of splitting on flat planes. The reliable field test is backlighting — hold a wetted stone to the sun and an agate glows translucent at the edges, usually showing its bands. Jasper looks similar but stays opaque.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find agates in Idaho?
Idaho has 19 mapped sites where agates have been reported. The best-known are Ada County, Lewiston, and Clearwater River. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many agates sites are mapped in Idaho?
We have 19 documented agates sites in Idaho, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect agates in Idaho?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify agate?
Agate is banded chalcedony: a waxy-luster stone, hardness about 7, that breaks with a smooth conchoidal (shell-like) fracture instead of splitting on flat planes. The reliable field test is backlighting — hold a wetted stone to the sun and an agate glows translucent at the edges, usually showing its bands. Jasper looks similar but stays opaque.
What kinds of agates are found in Idaho?
Reports from Idaho distinguish Banded Agate (2 sites), Red Agate (2 sites), Iris Agate (1 site), Moss Agate (1 site), Blue Agate (1 site).
What should I bring to collect agates?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
Data: community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.