Best spot

Valentine: Agatized Wood & Opalized Wood Rockhounding in Cherry County, Nebraska

Updated July 2026

The Niobrara River country around Valentine, on the edge of the Nebraska Sandhills, carries agatized and opalized wood, agate, and jasper in its river and terrace gravels. It anchors the north-central part of the state and puts collectors within reach of the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest and the Nebraska National Forest. Reported finds include agatized wood, opalized wood, agate, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Valentine photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

The Bryan Bridge over the Niobrara River, with exposed gravel bars, south of Valentine, Cherry County, Nebraska

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Cherry County
State: Nebraska
Nearest road: N-12
Coordinates: 42.89717, -100.49053

Geology at Valentine

This spot sits on White River Group, mapped as clay that formed roughly 34 to 23 million years ago. Petrified wood typically travels as tough float, and worked gravels like these are exactly where weathered pieces tend to collect.

Mapped unit: White River Group
Age: 34–23 Ma (Early Oligocene to Late Oligocene)
Rock types: clay
Elevation: 2,410 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 Valentine

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 90°F in midsummer and 36°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 14°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, VALENTINE #1 station (3 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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 Valentine

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 Valentine.

Across the state line from Valentine

Valentine 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.

Valentine FAQ

Where is Valentine?+

Valentine is in Cherry County, Nebraska, at 42.89717, -100.49053. Nearest road: N-12.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Valentine?+

Valentine is reported to produce Agatized Wood, Opalized Wood, Agate, Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Valentine?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Valentine?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, and a padded bag cover petrified wood hunting. Most pieces are surface float, so walking slopes and washes beats digging.

When is the best time to visit Valentine?+

The most comfortable months at Valentine are March to November.

How do I get to Valentine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.89717, -100.49053 in Google Maps. The nearest road is N-12.

More rockhounding in Nebraska

See all 32 Nebraska spots →

Open Valentine on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.