Whiteclay (Fairburn area): Fairburn Agate & Jasper Rockhounding in Sheridan County, Nebraska

Updated June 2026

Whiteclay (Fairburn area) is a mapped rockhounding spot in Sheridan County, Nebraska. Reported finds include fairburn agate, jasper, chalcedony, opalized wood, agatized wood, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Sheridan County
State: Nebraska
Coordinates: 42.99602, -102.62815

Geology at Whiteclay (Fairburn area)

This spot sits on White River Group, mapped as clay that formed roughly 34 to 23 million years ago. Reworked sediments like these can carry fossils eroded from older beds upstream, typically as rolled bone fragments, teeth, and shell material.

Mapped unit: White River Group
Age: 34–23 Ma (Early Oligocene to Late Oligocene)
Rock types: clay
Elevation: 3,520 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 Whiteclay (Fairburn area)

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 36°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 11°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PINE RIDGE AP station (6 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 Whiteclay (Fairburn area)

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 Whiteclay (Fairburn area).

Across the state line from Whiteclay (Fairburn area)

Whiteclay (Fairburn area) 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.

Whiteclay (Fairburn area) FAQ

Where is Whiteclay (Fairburn area)?+

Whiteclay (Fairburn area) is in Sheridan County, Nebraska, at 42.99602, -102.62815.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Whiteclay (Fairburn area)?+

Whiteclay (Fairburn area) is reported to produce Fairburn Agate, Jasper, Chalcedony, Opalized Wood, Agatized Wood, Fossils.

Is collecting allowed at Whiteclay (Fairburn area)?+

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 Whiteclay (Fairburn area)?+

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 Whiteclay (Fairburn area)?+

The most comfortable months at Whiteclay (Fairburn area) are March to November.

How do I get to Whiteclay (Fairburn area)?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.99602, -102.62815 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Nebraska

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Open Whiteclay (Fairburn area) on the map

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