Landscaping with river rock can create breathtaking backyards, gardens and patios. We present some of the top river rock landscaping ideas with these 130 photos. All pictured here are landscaping designs that you can actually DIY.

River rock stones often called river pebbles or just pebble stones or natural stone pebbles. Though the word ‘river’ is in the name, the rocks actually come from the ocean beaches, mainly Mexican and Caribbean where they are naturally created. They are tumbled by ocean waves for hundreds of years to become smooth and well rounded stones. They are perfectly suitable for a wide range of uses in residential landscaping.

Landscaping uses for river rock stones are practically unlimited. Here’s just a few: paving, drainage, accent features, mulching, xeriscaping, decorative mosaics. You can use them to build walkways, outdoor gardens, fountains, planters, for edging, borders and flagstone joints and other creative landscaping designs.