Where to Find Agate in South Dakota
South Dakota has 11 mapped collecting spots that report agate, spread across 5 counties. The largest share sits in Custer County with 3 spots. 7 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.
Map of 11 agate collecting spots in South Dakota
Standout agate spots in South Dakota
Hand-picked from the full list below, with the reason each one earns a trip.
Best counties for agate in South Dakota
Ranked by the number of mapped agate spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
- Custer County3 spots
- Oglala Lakota County3 spots
- Pennington County3 spots
- Jackson County1 spot
- Minnehaha County1 spot
Every agate spot we track in South Dakota
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Creek Agate Beds | Custer County | 43.6698, -103.0149 | Public | |
| Teepee Canyon AgatesF D R 668 | Custer County | 43.7469, -103.9260 | Public | |
| Tepee CanyonPleasant Valley Road | Custer County | 43.5528, -103.9454 | Public | |
| InteriorBen Reifel Road | Jackson County | 43.7320, -101.9454 | Public | |
| Sioux FallsEast Rice Street | Minnehaha County | 43.5846, -96.6669 | Public | |
| OelrichsBlacktail Creek Road | Oglala Lakota County | 43.2010, -102.8806 | Permission | |
| Oglala | Oglala Lakota County | 43.2963, -102.9105 | Permission | |
| Red ShirtTatanka Numpa Road | Oglala Lakota County | 43.6741, -102.8991 | Permission | |
| Cheyenne River - Buffalo Gap | Pennington County | 43.7642, -102.7247 | Public | |
| Railroad Buttes | Pennington County | 43.8878, -102.8413 | Public | |
| ScenicEast Highway 44 | Pennington County | 43.7522, -102.4966 | Permission |
Before you go
Read the agate identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Agate in the encyclopedia.
Agate in South Dakota FAQ
Where can you find agate in South Dakota?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Custer County, Oglala Lakota County, and Pennington County. Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.
How many agate spots are mapped in South Dakota?+
11 spots across 5 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.
Is it legal to collect agate in South Dakota?+
Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 7 of the 11 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find agate
More minerals to hunt in South Dakota
Hunt agate in South Dakota with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.
