Kentucky is home to captivating pieces of jasper. Our terrain is a blend of rolling hills, river valleys, and rugged mountains, all of which contribute to the variety and quality of the gem that you can find here.
But discovering jasper in our state can be a bit of a challenge. They are often well hidden in our diverse landscapes.
Don’t be discouraged, though! This only makes finding jasper in Kentucky more rewarding. What’s more, we’ll share our favorite places to look for them, such as Graves County, Rockcastle River, Kentucky Lake, Lyon County, and Mount Vernon.
While Kentucky jasper may be more elusive than in other places, the effort you’ll put into finding them is part of what makes them so special. Ready to take on this challenge? Let’s go!
What Is Kentucky Jasper Anyway?
Jasper is a fantastic type of rock that catches the eye of many rock collectors and geologists. It’s a form of chalcedony, which means it’s made up of very fine grains of quartz.
What makes it interesting is its wide range of colors and patterns. It can be red, yellow, brown, or green, and sometimes it has beautiful stripes or spots! These colors and patterns are a big help in identifying jasper.
Its beauty and uniqueness are only some of the factors that affect jasper’s value. It’s been used it for a long time because it’s strong and can be polished to a shiny finish. In the past, people also made tools and weapons from this gem.
Today, it’s mostly used for making jewelry, like necklaces and bracelets, and for decorative items like vases or sculptures.
As for its hiding places, jasper is often spotted in areas with volcanic rocks and ash. Places like riverbeds, beaches, and deserts are good spots to look for this beautiful natural treasure.
The Types Of Jasper Found In Kentucky
When you’re searching for Kentucky jasper, here are the different types you might find:
- Banded jasper
- Brecciated jasper
- Ocean jasper
- Red jasper
- Yellow jasper
Aside from jasper, we’re also endowed with other natural wonders. If you want to find crystals in Kentucky, you can check out our guide to the places you can explore.
- 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 rock 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 Jasper In Kentucky
With the many great gem mine sites in Kentucky, it can be quite confusing and overwhelming to choose which one to visit. Here are our favorite places where we had the most success finding jasper:
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
Graves County
Graves County has a mix of flatlands and gentle hills. Its geography is pretty diverse, with lots of farmland, but also forests and streams, which are great spots for rock hunting.
The county sits in the Jackson Purchase region of Kentucky, known for its rich soil and interesting geology. A long time ago, this area was under a shallow sea. It has lots of sedimentary rocks, which often hide amazing treasures like jasper.
Graves County’s terrain is a mix of open spaces and wooded areas. The flatlands are easy to walk on, but it’s in the slightly hilly areas where you might find jasper.
If you’re driving and you want to go here, it’s about two and a half hours from Nashville, Tennessee, and around three hours from St. Louis, Missouri. The main town in Graves County is Mayfield, which is a great starting point.
But before you head out, review Kentucky’s local collecting guidelines and make sure you will comply with them during your exploration.
Where we found jasper in Graves County
You can find jasper pieces in all the regional gravel and clay pits of Graves County, especially in Farmington, Hickory, Sedalia, and Viola areas.
The tools every crystal hunter will need
When you're out looking for crystals 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 crystal miners which we outline in great detail in our complete rockhounding equipment 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 crystal-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
Southeast Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide
Earth Treasures: The Southeastern 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.
Rockcastle River
Rockcastle River winds through the scenic landscapes of our state. It flows through areas with a mix of rugged terrain and forested hillsides, creating diverse environments where different types of rocks can be found.
The river’s name, “Rockcastle,” actually comes from the rocky bluffs and castle-like rock formations along its banks. These formations are not only beautiful to look at but also great places to search for jasper.
Along the Rockcastle River, you can find areas with pebbly beaches and exposed bedrock, which are ideal for spotting different types of jasper.
If you want to go here, it’s located in the southeastern part of our state, within the Daniel Boone National Forest. The closest towns are Livingston and Mount Vernon. You can reach these towns by car, and from there, follow the signs to the river.
Where we found jasper in the Rockcastle River
You can collect fine jasper pieces downstream along both sides of Roundstone Creek to its mouth at Rockcastle River just south of Livingston.
Kentucky Lake
Kentucky Lake is one of the largest man-made lakes in the United States, stretching across western Kentucky and Tennessee. With over 2,300 miles of shoreline, it’s like a massive playground for anyone interested in geology and rock hunting.
There are lots of wooded areas, rolling hills, and, of course, shoreline. These different landscapes mean you’ve got a good chance of finding all sorts of rocks, including jasper.
The lake was formed by damming the Tennessee River, so there’s a mix of sedimentary rocks like sandstone and limestone around, but also areas where you might find jasper.
To get to Kentucky Lake, you can drive from major cities like Nashville, Tennessee, or Paducah, Kentucky. The lake is accessible from several highways, making it easy to reach from different directions.
Where we found jasper in the Kentucky Lake
We recommend exploring along the east shoreline of Kentucky Lake to find captivating pieces of jasper.
Lyon County
Lyon County is in the western part of our state and it’s known for its beautiful natural scenery and interesting geology.
Its geography is a mix of rolling hills, forests, and waterways. It’s right by the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers, and it includes part of the gorgeous Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.
These lakes and rivers make the county a great spot for finding different kinds of rocks, including jasper. Plus, its terrain isn’t too tough to explore. The hills are gentle, and there are plenty of open areas along the lakes and rivers.
Reaching this place is pretty straightforward. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Nashville, Tennessee, and about 2 hours from Paducah, Kentucky.
Where we found jasper in Lyon County
The are many places in Lyon County where you can find jasper, including all of its area road cuts and quarries.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon is located in the eastern part of our state, in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Here, you’ve got mountains, valleys, and lots of lush green forests.
The terrain here is a bit hilly and rugged, which makes it an exciting challenge for rock hunters. This kind of landscape is great for finding all sorts of interesting rocks, including various types of jasper.
This place is easy to get to if you want to visit. If you’re driving, it’s located off Interstate 75, which is a major highway running through Kentucky. It’s about a two-hour drive south from Lexington, and about three hours north from Knoxville, Tennessee.
Where we found jasper in Mount Vernon
To find jasper in Mount Vernon, you can search through all of its road cuts and banks.
Other Great Places To Find Kentucky Jasper
Looking for more jasper hotspots in our state? We’ve listed below our other favorite places where you can find this gem.
Our recommendations by county
| County | Location |
| Bath | Old Rose River Iron Strip Mine |
| Ballard | Gravel pit in Wickcliff |
| Bell | VM+M Mining quarry |
| Carter | V Quarry (Ken-More Stone Company) |
| Graves | Area clay pits in Mayfield |
| Letcher | Nally and Hayden Quarry |
| Lyon | Area gravel pits, road cuts, excavations in Eddyville |
| Lyon | State Quarry with an unusual exposure of the Warsaw Formation |
| Pike | Elkhorn Quarry |
| Powell | Natural Bridge Stone Company |
| Rockcastle | Boone area road cuts |
| Rockcastle | Abandoned limestone quarry in Boone |
| Rockcastle | Kentucky Stone Company Quarry |
| Rowan | Elliottville area stone quarry |
| Rowan | Farmers area stone quarry |
| Rowan | Hays Crossing area stone quarries |
| Rowan | Morehead area stone quarries |
| Trigg | Land Between the Lakes area |
Common Jasper-Hunting Questions
To guide you further on your jasper-hunting adventure here, we’ll answer a common question among those who already explored here:
Is it illegal to collect jasper in Kentucky?
Collecting jasper and other rocks is generally allowed here, but it’s important to be aware of specific regulations and respect private property.
It’s legal to collect small amounts of rocks, like jasper, for personal use on most public lands. However, national parks and certain protected areas have strict rules against removing any natural materials, including rocks.
When it comes to private lands, you must always get permission from the landowner before collecting any rocks. Additionally, commercial collecting or large-scale removal of rocks is typically prohibited without proper permits.
It’s always best to check local regulations and guidelines before you start collecting. You may visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) website for more information.
The Best Places To Buy Jasper In Kentucky
If you prefer to purchase Kentucky jaspers, you’re in luck! We have a handful of trusted and reliable local rock and mineral shops that offer excellent quality gems. These include the following:
- Big Mike’s Rock Shop – 566 Old Mammoth Cave Rd, Cave City, KY 42127
- Green Earth Stones – 1701 U.S. 31 W Bypass, Bowling Green, KY 42101
- Little Big Gem Mine & Rock Shop – 1000 KY-524, La Grange, KY 40031
- Moon Mountain Gems – 205 W Water St, Flemingsburg, KY 41041
- Rocks for Socks – 1796 Calico Rd, Berea, KY 40403
