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South Dakota is world-famous for its impressive memorials and monuments, but rockhounds typically don’t travel to this state for the views but instead explore the land for its various rocks, minerals, gems, and fossils.
After you take a look at Mount Rushmore and the other historical monuments of South Dakota, see if you can find these common rocks, minerals, and gems:
- agate,
- geode,
- jasper,
- petrified wood,
- fossils,
- obsidian,
- rose quartz,
- amethyst,
- opal,
- beryl,
- gold,
- and tourmaline.
The easiest way to find the rocks, minerals, and other natural treasures of South Dakota is to learn about the state and its rockhounding opportunities. This article compiles rockhounding information, locations, and advice into a resource you can use to guide you through the Mount Rushmore State.
If you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding tools you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
What Rocks Are Found in South Dakota
South Dakota has many interesting rare rocks to offer rockhounds, such as:
Agate
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Fairburn | 43.686310, -103.213319 |
| Cheyenne River | 43.767431, -102.737297 |
| Oelrichs | 43.178234, -103.230804 |
| Buffalo Gap | 43.494294, -103.309850 |
| Pringle | 43.607753, -103.592764 |
| Camp Crook | 45.548677, -103.971439 |
| Hell Canyon | 43.567742, -103.950656 |
If you enjoy collecting agates, South Dakota will be your paradise! This state has many rare and colorful agates, including Fairburn Agates, Fairhill Agates, Prairie Agates, and moss agates.
Fairburn Agates are by far the most popular South Dakota agates due to their rarity and thin banded patterns of tan, white, red, brown, and black. The Fairburn Agate was first discovered near Fairburn, South Dakota, and it was designated as the official state gemstone in 1966.
Collect South Dakota agates from Fairburn, Pringle, or the Cheyenne River. You can also collect them from Buffalo Gap and Hell Canyon.
Geode
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Hell Canyon | 43.567742, -103.950656 |
| Spearfish Canyon | 44.477269, -103.850374 |
| Pleasant Valley Creek | 44.303270, -103.309616 |
| Whitewood Creek | 44.508855, -103.605069 |
| Lawrence County | 44.424218, -103.763881 |
| Custer County | 43.617218, -103.313650 |
You can find some gorgeous geodes in South Dakota, and the majority of these rocks are the size of a baseball.
Geodes from South Dakota are typically filled with amethyst, chalcedony, or quartz, and while they are abundant in the state, they are only found in certain areas. However, as long as you know where to look, you’ll have no problem collecting these shiny rocks from South Dakota.
Keep an eye out for geodes in Hill Canyon, Spearfish Canyon, and Pleasant Valley Creek. It’s best to stay near Lawrence County and Custer County if you want to find large, beautiful geodes.
Recommendation box: All tools and equipment you need for rockhounding and rock identification* (Amazon links):
1. Estwing Rock Hammer – Light, comfortable, and extremely durable hammer.
2. Estwing Geologist Pick – Classic and the most trusted paleo pick in the world.
3. Finder 12-inch Chisels – Heavy-duty chisels set with hand protection.
4. Mini Handle Shovel – This is a great tool for digging deep in the dirt.
5 Ironclad Utility Work Gloves – Breathable, but they also protect the areas requiring them most.
6. 3M Safety Glasses – Comfortable and efficient goggles for rockhounding.
7. Convoy 8+ UV Light – 365nm UV LED flashlight with a patented glass filter.
8. Wesley’s Jewelers Loupe – High magnification options (30X and 60X) with carrying case.
9. Mohs Hardness Kit – A specially designed kit for rockhounds
*All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website.
Jasper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Fairburn | 43.686310, -103.213319 |
| Interior | 43.723109, -101.969971 |
| Cheyenne River | 43.767431, -102.737297 |
| Scenic | 43.780230, -102.552616 |
| Oelrichs | 43.178234, -103.230804 |
| Sioux Falls | 43.565873, -96.712231 |
Red, yellow, and eye jasper all exist in South Dakota, but they aren’t as common as agates in this state. However, the pieces of jasper that are found in the Mount Rushmore State are high-quality, so they are well worth your time and effort.
Many of the areas where you find agates in South Dakota, such as Fairburn, Oelrichs, and the Cheyenne River, also contain jaspers. Interior, Sioux Falls, and the Cheyenne River are also great places to search for jaspers.
Petrified Wood
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Petrified Forest of the Black Hills (surrounding areas) | 44.227576, -103.353667 |
| Mound City | 45.725279, -100.062665 |
| Little Eagle | 45.680833, -100.787544 |
| Fairburn | 43.686310, -103.213319 |
| Ardmore | 43.019161, -103.656272 |
Did you know that South Dakota has a petrified forest? The Petrified Forest of the Black Hills was opened to the public in 1929, and it’s the largest gathering of petrified wood in the area.
While you might not be able to collect from the forest itself, the surrounding areas are excellent places to look for petrified wood. Agatized wood is also present in South Dakota and is usually discovered near Fairburn.
Petrified wood is generally found near the Black Hills Petrified Forest, Mound City, and Little Eagle. For agatized wood, head on over to Fairburn or Ardmore.
Fossils
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Hot Springs | 43.426669, -103.472725 |
| Hell Canyon | 43.568028, -103.950268 |
| Little White River | 43.126976, -101.758029 |
| Rapid City | 44.075269, -103.266367 |
| Summerset | 44.191092, -103.342374 |
| Pleasant Valley Creek | 44.302778, -103.307899 |
Before 1988, South Dakota’s state fossil was the cycad, a type of palm-like plant. However, in 1988, South Dakota changed its state fossil to the triceratops.
A stunning triceratops fossil was discovered in Harding County in 1927, and it was placed in Rapid City’s Museum of Geology. In addition to triceratops, mammoth fossils have also been found in this state, specifically from an area called Mammoth Site.
As you search for fossils in South Dakota, make sure you use caution and obtain permission before going to private or restricted lands. Some popular fossil-hunting locations in South Dakota include Hot Springs, Hell Canyon, and Little White River.
TIP: In some areas, especially national parks, collecting fossils is often prohibited and illegal, but many places allow collecting. Find out more in the article below:
7 Spots Where You Enjoy The Best Fossil Hunting in the USA
Obsidian
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lawrence County | 44.430428, -103.788105 |
| Black Hills | 44.101237, -103.924203 |
| Willow Springs | 44.316684, -104.119418 |
| Weston County | 44.166147, -104.096995 |
| Crook County | 44.586596, -104.100940 |
While obsidian is on the rarer side, you can find this rock in South Dakota, but it’s only discovered in a couple areas. Typically, you’ll find the common black obsidians in this state, but not any special types like rainbow or fire obsidians.
For South Dakota obsidian, you’ll want to stay near the Black Hills and Lawrence County. The surrounding counties of Crook and Weston are also fair game for this striking rock.
What Minerals Are Found in South Dakota
Learn all about the collectible minerals and gems of South Dakota in the following sections:
Rose Quartz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Custer County | 43.652999, -103.354849 |
| Pringle | 43.608064, -103.594867 |
| Black Hills | 44.101237, -103.924203 |
| Ardmore | 43.019035, -103.656572 |
| Pleasant Valley Creek | 44.303270, -103.309616 |
Rose quartz is the state mineral of South Dakota, and some specimens from this state are 1.5 billion years old! Rose quartz comes in all shades of pink, and it’s particularly abundant near Custer County. In the Mount Rushmore State, rose quartz is discovered alongside agates, jaspers, and petrified wood.
Custer County is famous for its lovely rose quartz crystals, but the Black Hills and Ardmore are also great locations for this mineral.
Amethyst
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lawrence County | 44.430428, -103.788105 |
| Spearfish Canyon | 44.477514, -103.850374 |
| Whitewood Creek | 44.506160, -103.602901 |
| Pennington County | 44.005321, -103.591458 |
| Custer County | 43.652999, -103.354849 |
| Hell Canyon | 43.568028, -103.950268 |
Rockhounds collect beautiful amethysts from the creeks and canyons of the Mount Rushmore State. These amethysts can appear on their own or inside geodes, and they often have a bit of a blue hue mixed with the purple.
You can collect both amethyst crystals and geodes from Hell Canyon, Spearfish Canyon, and Whitewood Creek. The gravels and creeks of Lawrence County and Pennington County also contain this purple mineral.
TIP: Amethyst forms in hot spring deposits and hydrothermal veins and occurs in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rock, such as granite. Find out more in the article below:
Where to Find Amethyst: Best Environments & Locations (USA)
Opal
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mound City | 45.726418, -100.062794 |
| Little Eagle | 45.679214, -100.787544 |
| Mission | 43.303775, -100.663576 |
| Little White River | 43.128479, -101.755284 |
| Mobridge | 45.533973, -100.439754 |
| Missouri River | 44.308419, -100.309854 |
As you explore the rivers and creeks of South Dakota, keep a lookout for opals! An interesting form of opal that exists in South Dakota is opalized wood, which is essentially a mix of petrified wood and precious opal.
While opal and opalized wood are present in South Dakota, it’s not widespread throughout the state, so you’ll need to visit a few specific areas if you want to collect this mineral.
Check the creeks and washes of Mound City, Little Eagle, and Mission for precious South Dakota opals. For opalized wood, add Mission and Mobridge to your rockhounding itinerary.
Beryl
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Black Hills | 44.101237, -103.924203 |
| Keystone | 43.897125, -103.418146 |
| Hill City | 43.937495, -103.570338 |
| Tepee Canyon | 43.550465, -103.951081 |
| Scenic | 43.776929, -102.556564 |
Even though there aren’t many reports of colored beryls, such as aquamarines and emeralds, in South Dakota, rockhounds have found white and golden beryls in this state. This mineral tends to show up in various areas of the state, so fortunately, it’s not limited to a single area.
In addition to the famous Black Hills, beryl is also present in Keystone, Hill City, and Tepee Canyon.
Gold
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Broken Boot Gold Mine | 44.370898, -103.743208 |
| Savoy | 44.352237, -103.931188 |
| Rochford | 44.123534, -103.719555 |
| Laughing Water Creek | 43.808932, -103.625215 |
| Black Hills | 44.101237, -103.924203 |
| Deadwood | 44.374939, -103.737000 |
While it’s true that South Dakota isn’t as popular as other U.S. states for gold, you can collect a decent amount of gold from the Mount Rushmore State.
As you might have guessed, the areas near the gold mines are the best places to search for this shiny mineral. As you pan for gold, remember that pyrite is also common in this state, so don’t be fooled by the fool’s gold!
Broken Boot Gold Mine, Laughing Water Creek, and the Black Hills are the areas that contain the majority of the gold in this state.
TIP: Gold prospecting is legal in South Dakota, but – and here’s the crucial bit – with certain conditions. Check out the complete guide in the article below:
Gold Prospecting in South Dakota: 7 Best Locations & Laws
Tourmaline
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Black Hills | 44.101237, -103.924203 |
| Keystone | 43.896259, -103.421922 |
| Tepee Canyon | 43.550590, -103.951210 |
| Tin Mountain | 43.746614, -103.721116 |
| Scenic | 43.777735, -102.554376 |
Schorl is the most common type of tourmaline that exists in South Dakota, but rockhounds also collect green, pink, blue, and watermelon tourmalines from this state. If you’re searching for colored tourmalines, Keystone and the surrounding areas are your best bet.
In addition to Keystone, the Black Hills and Tepee Canyon have been known to contain some fine tourmaline specimens.
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in South Dakota
Jump into the rare rocks and minerals of South Dakota with these FAQs:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in South Dakota
South Dakota offers plenty of rare rocks for rockhounds, such as jade, geode, fossils, petrified wood, agatized wood, opalized wood, jasper, obsidian, and many different types of agates.
Two of the most popular rare agates that exist in South Dakota are the Fairburn Agate and the Fairfield Agate, both known for their unique patterns and earthy colors. You can also collect moss agates from this state, but they aren’t as popular as the Fairburn Agates.
There are a few locations in South Dakota where you can collect multiple rare rocks at once, such as Hell Canyon, Oelrichs, and Fairburn. Lawrence County and Custer County are two other areas where rockhounds collect all sorts of rare rocks.
BTW: If you are looking for the best UV light for rockhounding, find out my picks below (Amazon links):
- BEST OPTION: Convoy 8+ 365nm UV LED Flashlight with Patented Glass Filter
- BUDGET OPTION: Karrong Rechargeable 1200 Lumen 395nm UV Flashlight
- OPTION FOR INDOOR USAGE: Prime Upgraded Big Chip 396nm UV
What Rare Minerals Can You Find in South Dakota
Silver, gold, tourmaline, beryl, amethyst, garnet, opal, and selenite are the most abundant rare minerals in South Dakota.
On occasion, you might come across aquamarine or fluorite, but these are on the rare side in this state. Opals, tourmalines, and beryls are the most plentiful gem-quality minerals in the Mount Rushmore State, along with gold.
Visit the Black Hills, Custer County, or Hell Canyon for high-quality precious minerals and gems. You can also check out Tepee Canyon and Pringle, two areas where rockhounds have found multiple types of rare minerals.
What is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in South Dakota
Surprisingly, the most famous rock or mineral in South Dakota isn’t a rare fossil or precious gem, but instead is a rather common mineral, rose quartz. Rose quartz crystals typically appear with jaspers, agates, and petrified wood pieces in this state, and the crystals come in all shapes and sizes.
The color of this mineral also varies from light to dark pink, and some of the best pieces have been discovered in Custer County.
Search near Custer County, the Black Hills, and Pringle for stunning pieces of South Dakota rose quartz. The streams, creeks, and gravel beds in these areas are some of the best places to look for this mineral.
Conclusion
After you look up at Mount Rushmore and all the other sights of South Dakota, don’t forget to look down at all the rocks, minerals, and other treasures underneath your feet! This state has much to offer rockhounds, including many types of rare rocks and minerals.
Triceratops fossils, mammoth fossils, Fairburn Agates, opals, rose quartz crystals, tourmalines, gold, and much more await you in South Dakota, so be sure to add this state to your list of rockhounding destinations!
TIP: South Dakota is a fantastic state for rockhounding; apart from viewing Mount Rushmore while rockhounding, enthusiasts have many rockhounding places to enjoy in South Dakota.
GUIDE: Best Rockhounding in South Dakota & What Rocks Find