Weeping Water: Fossil Hunting in Cass County, Nebraska

Updated June 2026

Weeping Water is a mapped rockhounding spot in Cass County, Nebraska. Reported finds include chalcedony, jasper, fossils. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Cass County
State: Nebraska
Nearest road: 156th Street
Postcode: 68463
Coordinates: 40.86696, -96.16067

Geology at Weeping Water

This spot sits on Shawnee Group, mapped as limestone, shale, and siltstone that formed roughly 325 to 300 million years ago. Limestone like this typically forms in ancient seas, so marine fossils such as brachiopods, corals, and crinoids tend to weather out of fresh exposures.

Mapped unit: Shawnee Group
Age: 325–300 Ma (Pennsylvanian)
Rock types: limestone, shale, and siltstone
Elevation: 1,110 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Weeping Water

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 34°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 14°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WEEPING WATER station (1 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Weeping Water

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Weeping Water.

Across the state line from Weeping Water

Weeping Water is close enough to the Nebraska border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Weeping Water FAQ

Where is Weeping Water?+

Weeping Water is in Cass County, Nebraska, at 40.86696, -96.16067. Nearest road: 156th Street.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Weeping Water?+

Weeping Water is reported to produce Chalcedony, Jasper, Fossils.

Is collecting allowed at Weeping Water?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Weeping Water?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Weeping Water?+

The most comfortable months at Weeping Water are March to November.

How do I get to Weeping Water?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.86696, -96.16067 in Google Maps. The nearest road is 156th Street.

More rockhounding in Nebraska

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Open Weeping Water on the map

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