Where to Find Agate in Utah

Utah agate splits between the volcanic agates of the southwest and the sediment-hosted agates of the south-central deserts. Brian Head agate, from the high plateau in Iron County, is the best-known of the volcanic suite, with red, white, and pink banding in chalcedony from late Tertiary rhyolite. Dugway in the Thomas Range produces chalcedony geodes with banded interiors. The Black Hills southwest of Delta yield apple-green chalcedony, and the San Rafael Swell carries flat lake-bed agate in the Morrison Formation. Surface collecting limits are set by the local BLM field office and run from a daily 25-pound personal-use cap upward. The most productive ground is in Brian Head plateau (Iron County), Dugway geode beds (Juab County), Black Hills chalcedony (Millard County).

Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like agate is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in Utah, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.

Brian Head plateau (Iron County) is the standout. Other strong ground includes Dugway geode beds (Juab County), Black Hills chalcedony (Millard County).