Graveyard Point

Oregon

Find: Seam/plume agates, chalcedony, botryoidal chalcedony

GPS: 43.562410, -117.054040

Nearest city: Boise, ID

Summary:

To this day, I’m still not sure I found the “true” Graveyard Point. There’s not exactly a big sign out there. At the listed coordinates, I found plenty of agates and it looked like there were holes from others digging before me. It’s a very popular spot, but still has spectacular agates right on the surface after many decades of curious rockhounding taking place.

I figured the easiest way to explain how to get here was through video instructions with a map. Here is a link to the specific part of my video that goes over that. There are certainly wrong turns you can make.

I would recommend AWD to get here, but you can probably sneak by with a car. Expect dirt roads and mud, especially following rain.

 

Video Guide

For the best experience, check out the video guide. I show how I found my best pieces and challenges you might face along the way.

Here's what the Graveyard Point plume agates look like, somewhat close-up

Here's what the Graveyard Point plume agates look like, somewhat close-up

This is botryoidal chalcedony, it is really smooth to the touch.

This is botryoidal chalcedony, it is really smooth to the touch.

This was one of my favorite pieces of the botryoidal. Nice and dirty, fresh from the ground.

This was one of my favorite pieces of the botryoidal. Nice and dirty, fresh from the ground.

Seam agates here can get quite large. This was one of the best I was able to find. Some day I plan to slab it.

Seam agates here can get quite large. This was one of the best I was able to find. Some day I plan to slab it.

Chalcedony and the agates are buried in the ground like this. A geology pick or a gad bar would be really helpful tools here.

Chalcedony and the agates are buried in the ground like this. A geology pick or a gad bar would be really helpful tools here.

Some beautiful twists and turns!

Some beautiful twists and turns!

An example of some of the holes left behind over the years.

An example of some of the holes left behind over the years.

I was so eager to start I forgot to close the door!

I was so eager to start I forgot to close the door!