Cost of River Rock for Landscaping

On February 25, 2026 By newsroom Topic: Home Services

River rocks are a versatile and aesthetic addition to any landscaping project. Here's a breakdown of costs and factors to help plan your project:

Average River Rock Costs

| Unit | Cost Range |
|------------------|----------------|
| Per Ton | $10–$800 |
| Per Cubic Yard | $3–$220 |
| Per Cubic Foot | $0.05–$0.35 |

Cost Factors

Type of Rock
Prices vary based on rock type (e.g., lava rock, boulders, pebbles).
Size
Rocks range from ½ inch to 36 inches in diameter.
Smaller rocks may require landscaping fabric, adding to installation costs.

| Size (inches) | Cost/Ton | Cost/Cubic Yard |
|-------------------|---------------|---------------------|
| <1 | $10–$60 | $3–$20 |
| 1 | $50–$100 | $15–$30 |
| 10 | $120–$320 | $35–$90 |
| 36 | $110–$350 | $30–$95 |

Delivery
Costs $200–$600, often bundled with the rock price.
Labor
Installation costs $50–$150/hour or $25–$100/ton.
Location
Proximity to rock sources and project complexity affect costs.

Costs by Rock Type

| Rock Type | Cost/Ton | Cost/Cubic Yard |
|---------------------|-----------------|---------------------|
| River Rock | $100–$800 | $30–$220 |
| Lava Rock | $80–$240 | $25–$65 |
| Bull Rock | $70–$110 | $20–$30 |
| Pebbles | $50–$65 | $14–$20 |
| Boulders | $100–$600 | $30–$165 |
| Riprap | $35–$250 | $10–$70 |
| Crushed Limestone | $30–$200 | $10–$60 |
| Arizona Rock | $150–$210 | $40–$60 |
| Delaware Rock | $95–$130 | $30–$35 |
| Cherokee Rock | $95–$180 | $30–$50 |

Additional Landscaping Costs

| Add-On | Average Cost |
|--------------------|-------------------|
| Water Elements | $3,400 |
| Xeriscaping | $17,000 |
| Retaining Walls | $6,000 |
| Rock Removal | $40–$100/cubic ft |

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

DIY Costs: Save $150+ by installing river rocks for small areas.
Pro Installation: Costs $45–$75/hour for larger or complex installations.

How to Save on River Rock Costs

Source Locally: Avoid high shipping costs for rare stones.
Buy in Bulk: Bulk discounts reduce overall costs.
DIY Installation: Handle smaller projects yourself.
Seasonal Savings: Schedule projects in the off-season for lower labor rates.

Calculating How Much River Rock You Need

Measure Area Dimensions:
Example: 10 ft x 20 ft x 2 inches deep = 400 cubic feet.
Convert to Cubic Yards:
400 ÷ 27 = 14.8 cubic yards.
Convert to Tons:
14.8 x 1.4 = ~20.7 tons.

Plan your project with these insights for a beautifully landscaped yard!