Keya Paha River: Agatized Wood & Opalized Wood Rockhounding in Keya Paha County, Nebraska

Updated June 2026

Keya Paha River is a mapped rockhounding spot in Keya Paha County, Nebraska. Reported finds include agatized wood, opalized wood, silicified mastodon tusks, arrowheads. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Keya Paha County
State: Nebraska
Coordinates: 42.98952, -99.62522

Geology at Keya Paha River

This spot sits on Pierre Shale, mapped as shale that formed roughly 100 to 66 million years ago. Sedimentary beds like these are the typical host for petrified and silicified wood, which weathers out as durable float on slopes and in washes.

Mapped unit: Pierre Shale
Age: 100–66 Ma (Late Cretaceous)
Rock types: shale
Elevation: 1,960 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 Keya Paha River

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 90°F in midsummer and 36°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 11°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SPRINGVIEW 2NW station (13 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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 Keya Paha River

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 Keya Paha River.

ValentineTop pick in NebraskaCherry County, Nebraska · 44 mi awayAgatized Wood, Opalized Wood, Agate

Across the state line from Keya Paha River

Keya Paha River 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.

Keya Paha River FAQ

Where is Keya Paha River?+

Keya Paha River is in Keya Paha County, Nebraska, at 42.98952, -99.62522.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Keya Paha River?+

Keya Paha River is reported to produce Agatized Wood, Opalized Wood, Silicified Mastodon Tusks, Arrowheads.

Is collecting allowed at Keya Paha River?+

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 Keya Paha River?+

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 Keya Paha River?+

The most comfortable months at Keya Paha River are March to November.

How do I get to Keya Paha River?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.98952, -99.62522 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Nebraska

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Open Keya Paha River on the map

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