Where to Find Gold in South Dakota
4 mapped gold rockhounding spots in South Dakota, across 3 counties. Recreational gold panning is allowed on much BLM and Forest Service land.
Map of 4 gold rockhounding spots in South Dakota
Gold by county in South Dakota
Counties ranked by number of gold spots in our database.
Every gold spot in South Dakota
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laughing Water CreekEcho Valley Road | Custer County | 43.8183, -103.6169 | Public | |
| Broken Boot Gold MineUS Highway 14A | Lawrence County | 44.3707, -103.7423 | Public | |
| SavoyNorth Calamity Gulch Road | Lawrence County | 44.3599, -103.9138 | Public | |
| RochfordSouth Rochford Road | Pennington County | 44.0983, -103.7740 | Public |
Gold in South Dakota FAQ
Where can I find gold in South Dakota?+
RockHoundR tracks 4 gold spots in South Dakota, spread across 3 counties. The strongest concentration is in Lawrence County.
Is collecting gold legal in South Dakota?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like gold is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in South Dakota, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.
What is the best gold location in South Dakota?+
Lawrence County has the most gold spots in our database for South Dakota. The full county breakdown is below — different counties produce different qualities and varieties.
Other states for gold
Other minerals to find in South Dakota
- Jasper in South Dakota9
- Chalcedony in South Dakota7
- Agate in South Dakota6
- Agatized Wood in South Dakota6
- Fossils in South Dakota5
- Geodes in South Dakota4
- Amethyst in South Dakota3
- Arsenopyrite in South Dakota3
- Beryl in South Dakota3
- Calcite in South Dakota3
- Quartz in South Dakota3
- Silicified Wood in South Dakota3
Hunt gold in South Dakota on the map
Open RockHoundR for live land overlays, weather, geology, and saved spots.
