Graveyard Point Rockhunt!

Graveyard Point in Idaho is a fascinating spot, especially if you’re into rockhounding or curious about unique natural and historical sites. It’s located in Owyhee County, near the Oregon-Idaho border, just a few miles west of Homedale, Idaho. The area is renowned for its rich deposits of plume agate, a type of chalcedony with feathery, plume-like inclusions, often found in seams within the local basalt rock. This makes it a popular destination for rock collectors looking to dig up or pick through surface “float” material for treasures like agates, jasper, or even petrified wood.
The name "Graveyard Point" comes from a small pioneer cemetery perched on a hill, marked by a stone monument built in the early 1950s by rockhounds from the Northwest and California mineral societies. The monument lists five names—McConnell (1896), Thomas infant (1901), Mussell infant (1901), Jack Sparks (1914), and Old Uncle Billy Stull (no date)—though historical records suggest some graves might be missing or misnamed. It’s a bit of a haunting footnote to an otherwise rugged, desert landscape.
Getting there can be tricky due to private property and “No Trespassing” signs, but there’s public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) where collecting is allowed. A common route starts in Homedale: head west on Highway 19, turn onto Graveyard Point Road, and follow it about 4 miles to where it connects to public access points near Nielsen Lane (also called Sage Road). From there, a high-clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended as the dirt roads get rough, winding through sagebrush desert toward the collecting sites southwest of the cemetery. Coordinates like N 43°33.554' W 117°02.066' can guide you to the heart of the agate area.
The terrain’s a mix of high desert and hills, with agate veins popping up every 10 yards or so across hundreds of acres. Some veins are a foot thick and stretch 30 feet long, filled with clear or colorful chalcedony—think blues, ambers, or grays—sometimes with black dendrites or angel wing formations. It’s been a rockhounding hotspot since the 1950s, and while there are active mining claims (like the Beverly Marie claim), plenty of free collecting spots remain if you steer clear of private land.
If you’re planning a trip, bring tools like a shovel, geology pick, or chisel, and expect a remote vibe—camping’s an option, but there’s no fancy lodging nearby. Closest towns for a bed are Homedale or farther out, Nampa or Caldwell. Just respect the land, watch for private boundaries, and you’ll likely leave with some stunning finds and a story to tell.