Where to Find Agate in Washington

Washington agate is dominated by Ellensburg blue, a soft cornflower-blue chalcedony found in dry gulches between Ellensburg and the Saddle Mountains in Kittitas County. The Saddle Mountain area also produces picture jasper and brown sagenite agate in basalt amygdules. Lake Goodwin and Damon Point on the Olympic Peninsula yield tide-tumbled agate and carnelian, and the Brewster terraces of the Columbia River basin add float agate eroded from older volcanic sources. Ellensburg blue is the prize, and surface collecting on private ranch ground is closed to the public; legal access concentrates on Department of Natural Resources land. The most productive ground is in Ellensburg blue agate ground (Kittitas County), Saddle Mountains (Grant County), Damon Point tide gravels (Grays Harbor County).

Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like agate is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in Washington, 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.

Ellensburg blue agate ground (Kittitas County) is the standout. Other strong ground includes Saddle Mountains (Grant County), Damon Point tide gravels (Grays Harbor County).