Where to Find Agates near Minot, ND
15 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Minot report agate. The closest is Souris River, about 24 miles out (30 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 Minot
Best spotSouris RiverMcHenry County, North Dakota · 24 mi awayPublic access · Quartz, Agate, Chalcedony +2
Turtle MountainRolette County, North Dakota · 75 mi awayPermission required · Quartz, Agate, Chalcedony
Missouri River at 119th Road NorthwestWilliams County, North Dakota · 91 mi awayPublic access · Jasper, Montana Moss Agate, Petrified Wood- Missouri River South ShoreMcKenzie County, North Dakota · 93 mi awayPublic access · Jasper, Montana Moss Agate, Petrified Wood
Best spotMandanMorton County, North Dakota · 99 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Chert +1
Best spotBismarckBurleigh County, North Dakota · 104 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood +1
Best spotRichardtonStark County, North Dakota · 110 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Agatized Wood +2
Best spotLittle Missouri RiverMcKenzie County, North Dakota · 111 mi awayPublic access · Montana Moss Agate, Jasper, Agatized Wood
Best spotWilliams CountyWilliams County, North Dakota · 111 mi awayPublic access · Montana Moss Agate, Red Jasper, Yellow Jasper- DickinsonStark County, North Dakota · 114 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony
Best spotMcKenzie CountyMcKenzie County, North Dakota · 119 mi awayPublic access · Montana Moss Agate, Jasper, Silicified Wood- TappenKidder County, North Dakota · 127 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +1
- Hettinger CountyHettinger County, North Dakota · 128 mi awayPublic access · Agate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood +2
- Cannonball RiverSioux County, North Dakota · 130 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood +1
Best spotMedoraBillings County, North Dakota · 137 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood
Types of agates reported near Minot
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate10
- Montana Moss Agate5
Agates near Minot FAQ
Where can I find agates near Minot?+
15 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Minot report agate. The closest is Souris River in McHenry County, roughly 24 miles away (30 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Minot?+
12 of the 15 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 Minot do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 24 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 137 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Minot
Where to Find Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Minot 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.
