If you’re on the hunt for chert, Texas is like hitting the jackpot! Our vast lands are dotted with spots where you can find this fascinating rock, often in beautiful, natural settings that make the search an adventure all on its own.
Among the best legit areas where you can mine for chert in Texas are Edwards Plateau, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Lake Waco, Lake Meredith, and Sandy Creek.
As you read on, remember that finding chert in Texas is not just about the thrill of discovery but also enjoying the great outdoors. Our state is waiting to reveal its chert treasures to you, so let’s get exploring!
What Is Texas Chert Anyway?
Chert is a hard, glass-like rock that comes in different colors like red, green, and black. It’s mostly made out of tiny pieces of quartz all squished together. It has a smooth surface and can break into sharp edges.
Long ago, people figured out that because it breaks into sharp pieces, it was perfect for making tools and weapons like arrowheads, knives, and scrapers.
Today, it’s not just about tools; some folks collect this rock because it’s beautiful, and artists use it to make jewelry and sculptures.
What makes chert valuable isn’t just its uses but also its beauty and history. It usually forms in places where there used to be oceans, lakes, or rivers a long, long time ago, so it’s not just lying anywhere, too.
Chert is commonly found in areas with lots of limestone. Places like riverbeds, old lake areas, and certain parts of mountains are good spots to look at. In the USA, you can find chert in many states, including Texas.
The Types Of Chert Found In Texas
Our state is home to several types of chert, each with its own unique characteristics and formation history:
- Alibates Flint
- Georgetown flint
- Edwards chert
- Pedernales chert
- Novaculite
- 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 geode 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 Best Places To Find Chert in Texas
Our state is endowed with an amazing array of rocks and minerals and there are many gem mine sites in Texas that you can explore for them. But if you want to focus your search on chert, below are our top recommended areas for you:
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.
These requirements are subject to change without notice and may differ from what we state below.
Always get updated information directly from the source ahead of time to ensure responsible rockhounding.
Edwards Plateau
Edwards Plateau is a vast area of rolling hills, deep canyons, and clear, spring-fed rivers. It’s part of the Texas Hill Country. The plateau rises where the land is mostly flat, creating an elevated area unique from its surrounding regions.
Its terrain is a mix of limestone bedrock with layers of chert, which formed millions of years ago when this whole area was under a shallow sea.
Over time, the tiny creatures in the sea died and their remains, along with the minerals in the water, turned into the chert we find today. It’s not just any chert; it’s high-quality, often used by Native Americans for making tools and weapons.
Edwards Plateau is located in the heart of Texas. Major cities like San Antonio and Austin are on its edge, making it a convenient day or weekend adventure trip. Just hop on Interstate 10 or Highway 290, and you’ll be on your way here.
But before heading out here, make sure to review Texas’ local collecting guidelines.
Where we found chert in Edwards Plateau
You can Georgetown flint and Edwards chert in various colors and qualities if you explore along the eastern fringe of the Edwards Plateau.
The tools every geode hunter will need
When you're out looking for geodes having the right tools for the job is very important. 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 geode 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 geode-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.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument is about stepping back in time to see how people long ago used chert in their daily lives.
Located in the Texas Panhandle, near Amarillo, this place is full of history and amazing geology. It’s on the High Plains, where the landscape is wide open and the sky seems endless. Its terrain includes rugged canyons and colorful mesas.
But the real treasure is the Alibates flint, a type of chert that’s been quarried here for thousands of years. It’s known for its high quality and beautiful colors, ranging from soft blues and greens to striking reds and oranges.
To get here, head to Fritch, Texas, then follow the signs to the monument. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but that’s what makes it an adventure.
Where we found chert in the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
You can find Alibates flint by searching in the vast landscapes south of Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument. Make sure, though, to follow any guidelines related to chert-hunting in the national monument.
Lake Waco
Lake Waco is a big, beautiful lake surrounded by trees, parks, and lots of open space. It’s located right in the heart of our state, near the city of Waco.
Its terrain includes rolling hills and valleys that were shaped over millions of years. These natural processes, along with the lake being expanded in the 1960s, have made the area around it a neat place to explore for chert and other rocks.
The chert at Lake Waco can be found in various colors and qualities. This type of rock formed a long time ago when tiny pieces of quartz were compressed together.
If you’re coming from Dallas or Austin and you want to go here, just drive down I-35 until you reach Waco. Then, follow the signs to the lake. There are several parks and public areas around the lake where you can start your rock hunting.
Where we found chert at Lake Waco
Chert nodules can be found in the limestone formations around Lake Waco.
Lake Meredith
Lake Meredith, located in the Texas Panhandle, is a beautiful lake set in a rugged landscape, with canyons and high plains all around. It’s located about 30 miles north of Amarillo.
It’s nestled in the Canadian River Valley, surrounded by the high plains. This area has a rich history and its terrain is a mix of water, canyons, and rocky outcrops, creating a diverse environment for exploring.
For rock hunters, Lake Meredith and its surroundings are particularly exciting because of the chert you can find here. This rock often appears in layers or nodules within the larger rock formations.
To go here from Amarillo, take Highway 136 north, and in about 45 minutes, you’re there. The area around the lake is managed by the National Park Service, which means there are plenty of facilities and marked trails for visitors.
Where we found chert at Lake Meredith
Alibates flint abounds in the northwest tip of Lake Meredith, along Plum Creek near the public campground in prehistoric Indian quarries and all regional breaks.
Sandy Creek
Sandy Creek winds its way through the Texas Hill Country, known for its beautiful landscapes, with lots of trees, hills, and clear streams. In the Hill Country, you can see different kinds of rocks, and the same is true for the area around the creek.
Its terrain is a mix of rolling hills, with the creek cutting through and creating valleys and ravines. It’s not just flat land; there are places where you can climb up and get a great view of the whole area.
The amazing thing about the chert you can find at Sandy Creek is that it comes in different colors, like red, brown, and even some with stripes.
If you want to go here, it’s located in Llano County, which is in the heart of the Hill Country. From Austin, it’s just a drive west on Highway 71, and then you’ll find signs that can lead you to the creek.
Where we found chert at Sandy Creek
You can find flint, a type of chert, at Sandy Creek and its tributaries upstream to the Enchanted Rock.
Other Great Places To Find Texas Chert
Aside from our top recommendations, there are other legit areas where you can find Texas chert. Below is a list you can refer to:
Our recommendations by county
| County | Location |
| Brewster | Christmas Mountains |
| Brewster | Clark prospect |
| Brewster | Unnamed prospect in Solitario |
| Burnet | Longhorn Cavern |
| Coryell | Pearl |
| Hidalgo | Sullivan City |
| Hudspeth | Lost Cow Quarry |
| Live Oak | George West |
| San Saba | Gravels and banks of Hinton Creek |
| Winkler | Southern Crude Oil Purchasing Well No. 89 E-1 |
Common Chert-Hunting Questions
In this section, we’ll answer one of the most common questions asked by those who want to find Texas chert.
Is it illegal to collect chert in Texas?
Whether or not it’s illegal to collect chert depends on where you are in our state. On public land, removing chert is usually against the rules. However, if you’re on private land, you can collect chert as long as you have the landowner’s permission.
Also, there are some areas designated for public collecting where you can legally take small amounts of rocks, minerals, and fossils, but these are exceptions, and rules can vary widely.
Before you go hunting for chert, it’s a good idea to check the specific regulations for the area you’re interested in. You may visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) website for more information.
The Best Places To Buy Chert In Texas
Aside from exploring the locations we shared with you, you can also visit our local rock shops to find Texas chert. Below are some of our trusted ones:
- Enchanted Rocks & Jewelry – 805 Berry St, Llano, TX 78643
- Katy Rock Shop – 535 Pin Oak Rd, Katy, TX 77494
- Nature’s Gallery – 1102 Elm St Ste 102, Carrollton, TX 75006
- Nature’s Treasures Texas – 4103 N Interstate Hwy 35, Austin, TX 78722
- The Crystal Rock Shop – 2136 Roy Rd, Tyler, TX 75707
- The Old Wizzard’s Rock Shop – 14005 African Hill Rd, Willis, TX 77378
