Colorado is known for its diverse geological treasures, but finding them takes a sharp eye, good knowledge, and a little luck. Agate, in particular, blends subtly with its surroundings, making it hard for people who don’t know how to find it.
The good news for people who want to find agates in Colorado is that the state has a vast wilderness and varied geology. Anyone can unlock the state’s potential and find a piece of Earth’s unique art in their hands.
We’ve researched and found many great options to ensure your agate hunting trip in the state is a success. We’ll also talk about the different kinds of agates and whether or not you can find them here. So, prepare for your agate hunting journey, and let’s get going!
What is Colorado Agate?
Agate has bands, swirls, and spots of different colors that make it stand out. Silica from groundwater slowly builds up and layers in the cracks of igneous rocks or fossilized wood to make these complicated patterns.
Each agate is different because the transparency and color of these bands can vary. Its colors and patterns can be affected by things like mineral impurities, changes in the environment, and changes in pressure.
The price and value of agates can change depending on many things, which you can read in our article. Some agates are very rare and beautiful, so collectors and people who like to wear jewelry pay a lot for them.
Moss agates
Moss agate is different from most agates because it has moss-like inclusions of mineral oxides like manganese and iron instead of the bands that most agates have.
These inclusions, green, red, brown, or black, make intricate patterns and shapes like landscapes, ferns, or tree dendrites. This is how the stone got its name, describing what it looks like.
The chalcedony’s transparency and these striking inclusions give moss agates depth and dimension. This is why gem and mineral collectors love them so much. Even though it’s called “moss agate,” it has no living things.
Colorado is home to various agates, including moss agates. It can be found in riverbeds, gravel pits, and specific locations known to rock hounds and gem enthusiasts.
Fire agates
Fire agate is a type of chalcedony that is fascinating and beautiful to look at. It’s admired for its beautiful play of color. The thin layers of iron oxide or limonite crystals inside the stone cause this effect, which is similar to the iridescence seen in opals.
These layers bend the light and make a mesmerizing show of fiery colors like red, orange, bronze, green, and gold. Fire agate is made when iron oxide and silica layers are deposited in the holes of old volcanic rocks.
The brilliant play of color that defines fire agate is caused by how carefully these layers are combined. This gemstone has long been a favorite among collectors and fans because of its unique beauty and rarity compared to other types of agates.
Colorado is a potential location to find fire agate. However, it’s not one of the more renowned regions for this particular gem.
Blue lace agates
Blue Lace Agate is a beautiful and unique type of banded Chalcedony, a mineral in the same family as Quartz. It is known for having a soft, periwinkle blue color with white or lighter blue stripes that make a pattern look like lace.
It’s a favorite among people who like gemstones and use crystals for healing because it looks soft and soothing. People think the stone gives off calming energies and helps with communication, but no scientific evidence supports these claims.
Like other agates, it’s made when silica slowly builds up in holes in igneous rock. The tiny amounts of copper in the mineral give it its unique blue color. Finding Blue Lace Agate in Colorado might be a rare occurrence.
The key factors in our recommendations are:
- The deep experience and understanding of our team about the area
- Recommendations from local groups and clubs
- How easy it is to get the a particular location
- Safety and potential hazards when collecting
- Weighing private and public locations
- The ability for both experienced and novice agate enthusiasts to find great samples
With these factors in mind we’ve been able to put together a fantastic list that just about anyone can use!
The tools every agate hunter will need
When you're out looking for agates having the right tools for the job is really going to make or break your success. You don't need a lot for most trips but there are a handful that are critical and will make your life a lot easier.
We get asked a lot about the equipment we use. Over the years we've found a handful of tools that we recommend to both new and experienced agate hunters which we outline in great detail in our complete rockhounding tools and kit guide. These are quality options that also happen to be relatively inexpensive.
Below are the basic tools that make your life so much easier and save you a ton of time. Check out the full guide to see everything we recommend bringing. One quick note, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases but we try very hard to only recommend gear we would use ourselves and often recommend brands you can't find on Amazon.
At a minimum you should have:
1 - Sturdy rock hammer: The Estwing Rock Pick is our standard
2 - Rugged chisels: Try Kendo' 3-piece Chisel Set
3 - Compact shovel: The Koleiya 28-inch shovel works well
4 - Rock screen pan: The Wazakura Soil Sieve Set fits the bill
5 - Eye protection: DeWalt Safety Glasses are cheap and comfortable
6 - Head protection: Malta's Safety Helmet has been our go-to
7 - Jewelers lens with at least 20x magnification: Jarlink's Jewelers Loop is perfect
The agate-finding books that we use most
There are also a few books that have been extremely helpful in the search for gems. These books have great recommendations and tips:
National Audubon Society Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals: North America
Southwest Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide
Earth Treasures: The Southwestern Quadrant
We provide links to find these tools on Amazon but some can also be found at your local hardware stores. For more recommendations check out the link to our full tool guide above.
The Best Spots To Find Agates in Colorado
We enumerate the great locations where you can find agates in the state. There are many fun places to find gems in Colorado, but not all have agates.
Always Confirm Access and Collection Rules!
Before heading out to any of the locations on our list you need to confirm access requirements and collection rules for both public and private locations directly with the location. We haven’t personally verified every location and the access requirements and collection rules often change without notice.
Many of the locations we mention will not allow collecting but are still great places for those who love to find beautiful rocks and minerals in the wild without keeping them. We also can’t guarantee you will find anything in these locations since they are constantly changing.
Always get updated information directly from the source ahead of time to ensure responsible rockhounding. If you want even more current options it’s always a good idea to contact local rock and mineral clubs and groups
Dinosaur National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument has a lot of geological and paleontological history. It’s on the border between Colorado and Utah. The monument is best known for its many dinosaur fossils but has a beautiful landscape with many different types of rocks and minerals.
Geological formations here show a mix of colorful layers shaped by erosion over millions of years to tell stories about the past. Agates formed in the same environment that kept dinosaur bones from breaking down.
Where we found agates at Dinosaur National Monument
With the right help and maybe the company of experienced rock hunters, you can search the monument’s large and beautiful land for these natural treasures.
This site is exciting for people interested in geology and paleontology because it has agates and many fossils.
Middle Park
Middle Park is a basin in the middle of Colorado, between two beautiful mountain ranges. This area is popular with rockhounds because it has beautiful views and a wide range of geological formations.
Agates are one of many semiprecious gemstones found because of ancient volcanic activity and the subsequent erosion. Middle Park is a fun place to explore because it has a lot of different kinds of rocks.
Volcanic ash layers and other mineral deposits hint at a rich geological history, so rockhounds are drawn to the area. The beautiful scenery and the chance of finding agates make Middle Park exciting for people interested in geology and the age-old search for hidden gems.
Where we found agates at Middle Park
Its old river beds and eroded volcanic sites are good places to look for agates that may have built up over thousands of years. Beautiful rocks around the area also make an excellent place for agates to form.
Rim Rock Drive
Rim Rock Drive, which goes through Colorado National Monument, is a beautiful way to see the area’s unique rock formations. This beautiful route shows layers of Earth’s history, and a careful observer can find many types of rocks that offer the area’s rich geological past.
The presence of volcanic materials, which were very important in forming agates, suggests that these semiprecious gemstones could be found along this drive. There are signs of ancient volcanic activity in the area, which is good for agate formation.
Where we found agates at Rim Rock Drive
The prospect of discovering agates along Rim Rock Drive or nearby areas adds an element of adventure to the journey. The erosion-exposed rocky terrains might conceal agates amongst other mineral treasures.
San Luis Valley
The San Luis Valley in Colorado is a large, high-altitude desert between the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges. It has a lot of interesting geological features.
Its wide plains and surrounding rocky areas have a lot of mineral history, which makes it a great place for agate fans to visit. The geological history of the valley, which includes ancient volcanic activity and constant erosion, has made it a good place for agates to form and be found.
The vast open spaces of the valley provide a serene backdrop for exploratory ventures. The pursuit of agates in San Luis Valley promises the reward of beautiful gemstones and an enriching experience of interaction with Colorado’s intriguing geological tapestry.
Where we found agates at San Luis Valley
Rock hunters can find pockets of agates in the valley’s riverbeds, old volcanic sites, and gravel pits, where minerals have slowly built up over time to make these pretty stones.
Specimen Mountain
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is home to Specimen Mountain, a prominent peak with a fascinating geological story. It was formed by past volcanoes, making it a good place for agates and other minerals to grow.
Volcanic eruptions in the past have left layers of ash and lava on the mountain. Over time and in the right conditions, these layers helped agates grow in cracks and cavities. Because of its rough geological past, Specimen Mountain is an excellent place to look for agates.
Where we found agates at Specimen Mountain
You can go on an exciting trip across the rough terrain of Specimen Mountain. As you walk along the trails, the chance of finding agates against a backdrop of beautiful views adds to the appeal of this trip.
Other Great Places To Find Agates in Colorado
We have already told you the best places to look in Colorado for agates. We want you to find what you’re looking for, so we’ll tell you more places in the state where you can look. We’ve put them in order by county below:
Our recommendations by county
| County | Location |
| Alamosa | Cumbress Pass highway, beyond river, climb a rocky point to a rockslide area |
| Elbert | surrounding region of Agate area |
| El Paso | Calhan area, Paint Mine area washes, gullies, surface |
| El Paso | Calhan area, south of the mine dumps |
| El Paso | Colorado Springs, Austin Bluffs |
| El Paso | Peyton area, Bijou Basin |
| Fremont | Canon city, Curio Hill |
| Fremont | Canon city, Gardin park |
| Fremont | Canon city, Felch Creek |
| Gilpen | Central city, East End Mine |
| Grand | Hot Sulphur Spring, Willow Creek |
| Grand | Parshall, Williams Fork |
| Kit Carson | Burlington, broad area |
| Mesa | Colorado River Valley, and side canyons west from Grand Junction to the Utah line |
| Mesa | Fruita city, SE Rim Rock Drive, area outside Colorado National Monument |
| Mesa | Glade Park city, region of Pinon Mesa |
| Mineral | Amethyst Lode, numerous area mines |
| Mineral | Wagon Wheels Gap, Embargo mining district area |
| Mineral | Wolf Creek Pass area, along Wolf Creek |
| Mineral | Wolf Creek Pass area, Treasure Falls in area of a cliff dipping to the left |
| Mineral | Wolf Creek Pass area, gravels below road and summit area |
| Moffat | Green and Yampa River breaks, gravels |
| Moffat | between the Utah line and Cross Mountain |
| Moffat | between Big and Little Wolf Creek |
| Moffat | Craig area, area exposures |
| Park | Antero Junction crest of hill area |
| Park | Guffey area, Mile Mountain |
| Park | Hartsel area, South Platte River gravels |
| Park | Hartsel area, Agate Plateau |
| Rio Grande | Rio Grande River sands and gravels |
| Saguache | La Garita area, La Garita Creek |
| Saguache | along the south Fork of the Republican River, broad area |
Additional areas you can find agates
Here are more specific places where you can find agates. We want to help you find these because Colorado is a big state.
Mines and mine dumps
Mines and mine dumps are great places to find agates because they have a lot of geological exposure. As mining operations dig deeper into the earth, they find treasures like agates that have been there for thousands of years.
When rocks are dug up and taken out, agates are often among the stones that end up on the surface. Mine dumps, where extra materials are put, are accessible places for people who like to explore and find agates without having to do a lot of digging.
Road cuts
Road cuts, the exposed parts of the ground next to roads, reveal hidden layers of geological history and are often an excellent place to find agates. As roads cut through different landscapes, they often go through mineral-rich areas.
This shows a cross-section of the geology of the area. Agates are often found in these newly exposed layers, waiting for collectors to find them. Enthusiasts like to go hunting in road cuts because they are easy to get to and because they might find different kinds of things.
Streams and creeks
With their gentle but steady erosion, streams and creeks act as natural sifters, uncovering and collecting agates and other minerals. Over time, moving water pulls agates away from their host rock and carries them downstream, where they are left on beds and banks.
Because these bodies of water constantly change, they always turn up new things, giving collectors a new place to look. Streams and creeks are easy to get to and are great places to look for agates because they often run through different types of geology.
Common Agate-Hunting Questions
People often ask these questions when they go to Colorado to look for agates.
Is it illegal to collect agate in Colorado?
You can look for agates in Colorado if you follow the rules. Get permission to go on private land and take samples there.
The Best Places To Buy Agates In Colorado
Not everyone likes to go outside on a hot day to look for agates. Sometimes, you only need one piece to add to your collection or give as a gift. Here are some places in Colorado where you can easily find agates:
- Allin Gem Rock Shop – 755 Gold Hill Pl S, Woodland Park, CO 80863, United States
- The Gold Mine Rock Shop – 0028 Co Rd 3A, Cañon City, CO 81212, United States
- Leoanard Crystals – 6801 S Emporia St Ste 106, Greenwood Village, CO 80112, United States
- Moon Mountain Gems Rock and Crysal Shop – 338 S 2nd St, Grand Junction, CO 81501, United States
- Red Rose Rock Shop – 490 Moraine Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517, United States
