Hettinger: Agatized Wood Rockhounding in Adams County, North Dakota

Updated June 2026

Hettinger is a mapped rockhounding spot in Adams County, North Dakota. Reported finds include agatized wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Adams County
State: North Dakota
Nearest road: 4th Street Northeast
Coordinates: 46.18826, -102.58019

Geology at Hettinger

This spot sits on Slope Formation, mapped as sandstone, siltstone, and claystone that formed roughly 66 to 56 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: Slope Formation
Age: 66–56 Ma (Paleocene)
Rock types: sandstone, siltstone, and claystone
Elevation: 2,510 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 Hettinger

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 28°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HETTINGER MUNI AP 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 Hettinger

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

Agatized Wood Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Hettinger.

Across the state line from Hettinger

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

Camp CrookTop pick in South DakotaHarding County, South Dakota · 80 mi awayMoss Agate, Chalcedony

Hettinger FAQ

Where is Hettinger?+

Hettinger is in Adams County, North Dakota, at 46.18826, -102.58019. Nearest road: 4th Street Northeast.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Hettinger?+

Hettinger is reported to produce Agatized Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Hettinger?+

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 Hettinger?+

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 Hettinger?+

The most comfortable months at Hettinger are April to October.

How do I get to Hettinger?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.18826, -102.58019 in Google Maps. The nearest road is 4th Street Northeast.

More rockhounding in North Dakota

See all 20 North Dakota spots →

Open Hettinger on the map

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