Where to Find Fossils in South Dakota
South Dakota has 5 mapped collecting spots that report fossils, spread across 4 counties. The largest share sits in Custer County County with 2 spots. 5 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible.
Map of 5 fossils collecting spots in South Dakota
Best counties for fossils in South Dakota
Ranked by the number of mapped fossils spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
- Custer County2 spots
- Meade County1 spot
- Pennington County1 spot
- Todd County1 spot
Every fossils spot we track in South Dakota
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hell CanyonHell Canyon Trail | Custer County | 43.7494, -103.8421 | Public | |
| Pleasant Valley Creek | Custer County | 43.5552, -103.7211 | Public | |
| Summerset | Meade County | 44.2046, -103.3313 | Public | |
| Rapid CityPurple Heart Memorial Highway | Pennington County |
| 44.0943, -102.5015 | Public |
| MissionSoldier Creek Road | Todd County | 43.3066, -100.8828 | Public |
Fossils in South Dakota FAQ
Where can you find fossils in South Dakota?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Custer County County, Meade County County, and Pennington County County. Every spot on this page appears on the map above with coordinates and access notes.
How many fossils spots are mapped in South Dakota?+
5 spots across 4 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 fossils 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. 5 of the 5 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find fossils
More minerals to hunt in South Dakota
Hunt fossils 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.
