Rockhounding sites in Iowa

87 rockhounding collecting destinations in Iowa.

Iowa rockhounding map

Interactive pins for coordinate-verified, indexable listings in Iowa. Click a marker for the full site page.

53 mapped sites shown · list continues below

How many rockhounding sites are in Iowa?

Use this page as your Iowa rockhounding map — Iowa has 87 rockhounding sites in our directory, including 23 agate & jasper, 16 geodes, 34 fossils, 3 gold & minerals, 11 other. Use rockhounding sites near me for live distance sorting or browse by city.

Near major cities: Cedar Rapids · Des Moines · Dubuque · Iowa City · Keokuk

By specimen type: Agate & Jasper (23) · Geodes (16) · Fossils (34) · Gold & Minerals (3) · Other (11)

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find geodes in Iowa?

The Keokuk geode belt along the Des Moines and Mississippi River country is Iowa’s flagship collecting region. Start with our Keokuk geode beds listing and the Iowa rockhounding map for nearby creek and fee options.

Is there an Iowa rockhounding map?

Yes — our Iowa state hub lists cataloged sites with GPS, specimen types, and access notes. Use it as your Iowa rockhounding map before a geode trip.

What to pack for Iowa rockhounding trips

Compared day-trip gear for Iowa rockhounding sites — side-by-side tables for the hike in, sun, and sun, tools, and the approach hike.

Chisels & Wedges — Split matrix cleanly and protect your specimens

Chisels & Wedges

Split matrix cleanly and protect your specimens

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Safety Glasses — Non-negotiable eye protection when hammering rock

Safety Glasses

Non-negotiable eye protection when hammering rock

4 products compared

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Specimen Bags & Wrap — Get your finds home without chips and scratches

Specimen Bags & Wrap

Get your finds home without chips and scratches

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Field Gloves — Cut and abrasion protection for sharp rock and tools

Field Gloves

Cut and abrasion protection for sharp rock and tools

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Popular rockhounding sites in Iowa

Most-searched spots — open each listing for directions, fees, and safety notes.

Keokuk Geode Beds — geode rockhounding site near Keokuk, IA
GeodeIA

Keokuk Geode Beds

The world-famous Keokuk geode belt along the Des Moines River yields crystal-lined geodes up to several feet across in Warsaw Formation exposures.

Fee variesKeokuk
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Bentonsport — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Bentonsport

Bentonsport is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Keokuk geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Burlington (geodes) — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Burlington (geodes)

Burlington (geodes) is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Lake Superior Agate, Quartz crystals, Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Bellevue — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Bellevue

Bellevue is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Lake Superior Agate, Moss agate, Carnelian, Moonstone, Jasper, Petrified coral. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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All 87 listings

Akron — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Akron

Fossil collection site, Plymouth County, Iowa. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Ames — chalcedony rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
ChalcedonyIA

Ames

Ames is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Chalcedony, Fossils. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Bassett — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Bassett

Fossil collection site, Chickasaw County, Iowa. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Bellevue — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Bellevue

Bellevue is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Lake Superior Agate, Moss agate, Carnelian, Moonstone, Jasper, Petrified coral. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Bells Mill Park — calcite rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
CalciteIA

Bells Mill Park

Bells Mill Park is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Calcite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Benton County — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Benton County

Benton County is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Coldwater Agate. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Bentonsport — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Bentonsport

Bentonsport is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Keokuk geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Black Hawk County — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Black Hawk County

Black Hawk County is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Coldwater Agate. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Brandon — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Brandon

Brandon is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Geodes, Fossils. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Bremer County — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Bremer County

Bremer County is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Coldwater Agate. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Burlington (geodes) — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Burlington (geodes)

Burlington (geodes) is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Lake Superior Agate, Quartz crystals, Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Burlington (lake Superior Agate) — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Burlington (lake Superior Agate)

Burlington (Lake Superior agate) is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Lake Superior Agate. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Butters — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Butters

Fossil collection site, Muscatine County, Iowa. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Cedar Creek — silicified coral rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
Silicified coralIA

Cedar Creek

Cedar Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Silicified coral, Calcified coral. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Cedar Rapids — silicified coral rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
Silicified coralIA

Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Silicified coral, Calcified coral. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Centerville (gypsum) — gypsum rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GypsumIA

Centerville (gypsum)

Centerville (gypsum) is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Gypsum. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Centerville (pyrite) — mineral rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
MineralIA

Centerville (pyrite)

Centerville (pyrite) is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Pyrite, Selenite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Chapin — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Chapin

Chapin is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Clayton County — mineral rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
MineralIA

Clayton County

Clayton County is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Galena, Limonite, Pyrite, Sphalerite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Coralville — silicified coral rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
Silicified coralIA

Coralville

Coralville is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Silicified coral, Calcified coral. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Delta — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Delta

Fossil collection site in the St. Louis, Keokuk County, Iowa. Environment: sinkhole. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Des Moines, Western — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Des Moines, Western

Fossil collection site, Iowa. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Donnellson — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Donnellson

Donnellson is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Dover Mills — fossil rockhounding site near The Scales Shale, IA
FossilIA

Dover Mills

Fossil collection site in the Scales Shale, Iowa. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Scales Shale
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Dubuque — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Dubuque

Dubuque is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Lake Superior Agate, Moss Agate, Oolitic agates, Moonstone, Jasper, Petrified wood, Fossils. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Eldora — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Eldora

Eldora is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Emmetsburg — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Emmetsburg

Emmetsburg is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Agate, Jasper, Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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F1 Lcf Om — fossil rockhounding site near The Lime Creek, IA
FossilIA

F1 Lcf Om

Fossil collection site in the Lime Creek, Iowa. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Lime Creek
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Farmington — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Farmington

Farmington is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Keokuk geodes, Coral. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Farmington (geodes) — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Farmington (geodes)

Farmington (geodes) is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Fayette — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Fayette

Fossil collection site, Fayette County, Iowa. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Fayette County — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Fayette County

Fayette County is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Lake Superior Agate. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Fort Dodge — gypsum rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GypsumIA

Fort Dodge

Fort Dodge is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Gypsum. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Fossil And Prairie Park — fossil rockhounding site near Rockford, IA
FossilIA

Fossil And Prairie Park

A Floyd County park preserves Devonian limestone with abundant crinoid and brachiopod fossils open to casual collecting.

Fee variesRockford
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Fossil Safari — mixed minerals rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
Mixed mineralsIA

Fossil Safari

Fossil Safari is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Mixed minerals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Fremont County — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Fremont County

Fremont County is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Fossilized coral, Stromatoporioids. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Gc Sample 1 — fossil rockhounding site near The Laporte City, IA
FossilIA

Gc Sample 1

Fossil collection site in the LaPorte City, Iowa. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Laporte City
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Graettinger — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Graettinger

Graettinger is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Agate, Jasper, Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Greene — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Greene

Fossil collection site in the Shell Rock, Butler County, Iowa. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Guttenburg — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Guttenburg

Guttenburg is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Jasper. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Harper’s Ferry — pearls rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
PearlsIA

Harper’s Ferry

Harper’s Ferry is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Pearls. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Keokuk — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Keokuk

Keokuk is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Keokuk geodes, calcite, chalcedony, limonite, marcasite, pyrite, sphalerite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Keokuk Geode Beds — geode rockhounding site near Keokuk, IA
GeodeIA

Keokuk Geode Beds

The world-famous Keokuk geode belt along the Des Moines River yields crystal-lined geodes up to several feet across in Warsaw Formation exposures.

Fee variesKeokuk
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Keokuk Geode With Calcite — geode rockhounding site near IA, IA
GeodeIA

Keokuk Geode With Calcite

Keokuk Geode with Calcite is a documented rockhounding destination in IA. Collectors visit for quartz geodes, chalcedony, calcite and related material. Access rules and land ownership vary — confirm current status with the managing agency or landowner before collecting.

Fee variesIowa
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Keota — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Keota

Keota is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Agate. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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La Porte City — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

La Porte City

La Porte City is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Agate. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Linn County — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Linn County

Fossil collection site, Linn County, Iowa. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Lowell — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Lowell

Lowell is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Keokuk geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Manson Impact — mixed rockhounding site near IA, IA
MixedIA

Manson Impact

Manson impact is a documented rockhounding destination in IA. Collectors visit for mixed minerals and rocks and related material. Access rules and land ownership vary — confirm current status with the managing agency or landowner before collecting.

Fee variesIowa
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Mount Pleasant — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Chert, Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Muscatine (agate) — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Muscatine (agate)

Muscatine (agate) is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Lake Superior Agate, Moss Agate, Chalcedony, Quartz crystals. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Muscatine (pearls) — pink pearl rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
Pink PearlIA

Muscatine (pearls)

Muscatine (pearls) is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Pink Pearl, Gold Pearl, Red Pearl. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Nevada — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Nevada

Nevada is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Agate. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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New London — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

New London

New London is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Agate, Jasper. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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North Of Stuart — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

North Of Stuart

Fossil collection site, Guthrie County, Iowa. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Orient Area — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Orient Area

Orient Area is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Agate, Quartz crystals, Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Palo — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Palo

Fossil collection site in the Little Cedar, Linn County, Iowa. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Pershing — calcite rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
CalciteIA

Pershing

Pershing is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Calcite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Red Oak — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Red Oak

Red Oak is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Chert, Protozoa agate. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Riverview Recreation Area — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Riverview Recreation Area

Riverview Recreation Area is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Rudd — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Rudd

Fossil collection site in the Shell Rock, Floyd County, Iowa. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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Sheffield — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Sheffield

Sheffield is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Shell Rock — agate rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
AgateIA

Shell Rock

Shell Rock is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Lake Superior Agate. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Skunk River — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Skunk River

Skunk River is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Geodes, Petrified coral, Limonite. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Steamboat River — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Steamboat River

Steamboat River is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Union — geode rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
GeodeIA

Union

Union is a documented mineral occurrence near IA. Reported specimens include Geodes. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIowa
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Well #d-7 — fossil rockhounding site near Iowa, IA
FossilIA

Well #d-7

Fossil collection site, Sioux County County, Iowa. Environment: fluvial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIowa
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