Where to Find Agates near Johnson City, TN
16 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Johnson City report agate. The closest is Mitchell County, about 22 miles out (27 min drive).
Agates are banded chalcedony nodules that survive long after their volcanic host rock rots away, which is why they concentrate in gravel bars, beaches, and glacial deposits far from where they formed.
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Johnson City
Mitchell CountyMitchell County, North Carolina · 22 mi awayPublic access · Agate- GreeneHawkins County, Tennessee · 32 mi awayPublic access · Calcite, Celestite, Dolomite +7
- CasarCleveland County, North Carolina · 68 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Quartz
- TraphillWilkes County, North Carolina · 74 mi awayPublic access · Moss Agate, Jasper, Chalcedony
- Lake SummitHenderson County, North Carolina · 76 mi awayPublic access · Agate
- Walker MountainBland County, Virginia · 81 mi awayPublic access · Quartz, Agate
- StatesvilleIredell County, North Carolina · 92 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Amethyst, Quartz
- MooresvilleCatawba County, North Carolina · 92 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Amethyst, Quartz
- JellicoCampbell County, Tennessee · 97 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- CaldwellMecklenburg County, North Carolina · 104 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Carnelian, Chalcedony
Best spotKentucky Agate District (Jackson County)Jackson County, Kentucky · 116 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +1- ConcordCabarrus County, North Carolina · 117 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Carnelian, Chalcedony +1
Best spotDanburyStokes County, North Carolina · 120 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Carnelian, Chalcedony +4- UnakaCherokee County, North Carolina · 128 mi awayPublic access · Staurolite, Agate, Epidote +4
- ClarksvilleHabersham County, Georgia · 136 mi awayPublic access · Banded Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- SalemRoanoke County, Virginia · 137 mi awayPublic access · Agate
Types of agates reported near Johnson City
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
Agates near Johnson City FAQ
Where can I find agates near Johnson City?+
16 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Johnson City report agate. The closest is Mitchell County in Mitchell County, roughly 22 miles away (27 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Johnson City?+
16 of the 16 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
What is the fastest way to spot an agate in a gravel bed?+
Look for waxy luster and translucence rather than color. Wet the stone or look right after rain: agate glows softly at thin edges when backlit, while jasper and chert stay opaque. Banding clinches it but is often hidden until the stone is cracked or tumbled.
How far from Johnson City do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 22 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 137 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Johnson City
Where to Find Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Johnson City with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
