Chappell: Fairburn Agate & Jasper Rockhounding in Deuel County, Nebraska

Updated June 2026

Chappell is a mapped rockhounding spot in Deuel County, Nebraska. Reported finds include fairburn agate, jasper, chalcedony, opalized wood, agatized wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Deuel County
State: Nebraska
Nearest road: I 80
Postcode: 69129
Coordinates: 41.08782, -102.49115

Geology at Chappell

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: 3,690 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 Chappell

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 13°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CHAPPELL 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 Chappell

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 Chappell.

Chappell FAQ

Where is Chappell?+

Chappell is in Deuel County, Nebraska, at 41.08782, -102.49115. Nearest road: I 80.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Chappell?+

Chappell is reported to produce Fairburn Agate, Jasper, Chalcedony, Opalized Wood, Agatized Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Chappell?+

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 Chappell?+

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 Chappell?+

The most comfortable months at Chappell are March to November.

How do I get to Chappell?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 41.08782, -102.49115 in Google Maps. The nearest road is I 80.

More rockhounding in Nebraska

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Open Chappell on the map

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