Agates near Minot, ND
13 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.
Map of 13 agate collecting spots within 150 miles of Minot, North Dakota
Closest agates spots to Minot
- Souris RiverMcHenry County, North Dakota24 mi · 30 min driveQuartz, Agate, Chalcedony
- Turtle MountainRolette County, North Dakota75 mi · 1 hr 33 min driveQuartz, Agate, Chalcedony
- MandanMorton County, North Dakota99 mi · 2 hr 4 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- BismarkBurleigh County, North Dakota104 mi · 2 hr 10 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood
- RichardtonStark County, North Dakota110 mi · 2 hr 17 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Agatized Wood
- Little Missouri RiverMcKenzie County, North Dakota111 mi · 2 hr 19 min driveMontana Moss Agate, Jasper, Agatized Wood
Types of agates reported near Minot
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate10
- Montana Moss Agate3
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Minot
Sorted by distance from Minot. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Souris RiverRiver Road North | McHenry County | 48.1150, -100.8019 | Public | |
| Turtle MountainBia 23 | Rolette County | 48.8155, -99.9217 | Public | |
| MandanSunny Place South | Morton County |
| 46.8174, -100.9353 | Public |
| BismarkGallatin Loop | Burleigh County | 46.7597, -100.8355 | Public | |
| Richardton42nd Street Southwest | Stark County | 46.8031, -102.3097 | Public | |
| Little Missouri River | McKenzie County |
| 47.5240, -103.4521 | Public |
| Williams County138th Avenue Northwest | Williams County |
| 48.1154, -103.7079 | Public |
| DickinsonLehigh Road | Stark County | 46.8706, -102.6924 | Public | |
| McKenzie County | McKenzie County |
| 47.9824, -103.8391 | Public |
| TappenHighway 10 | Kidder County | 46.8796, -99.4569 | Public | |
| Hettinger CountyState Highway 8 | Hettinger County | 46.5117, -102.3170 | Public | |
| Cannonball River | Sioux County | 46.3596, -100.9431 | Public | |
| MedoraI 94 | Billings County | 46.9233, -103.4921 | Permission |
Agates near Minot FAQ
Where can I find agates near Minot?+
13 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Minot report agate. The closest is Souris River in McHenry County 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 13 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
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.
