Killdeer: Knife River Flint Rockhounding in Dunn County, North Dakota
Updated July 2026
Killdeer is the seat of Dunn County, the core of the Knife River flint source area, a glossy brown chalcedony that prehistoric knappers quarried and traded across much of the continent. The flint weathers out as unworked cobbles in creek cutbanks and gravels across the region. The famous quarry pits, including the Lynch Quarry, are protected archaeological sites on private land, and worked, flaked pieces are artifacts that must be left in place. Reported finds include knife river flint. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Killdeer photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Killdeer in Dunn County, North Dakota
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Dunn County
- State
- North Dakota
- Nearest road
- County Road 5
- Postcode
- 58541
- Coordinates
- 47.15371, -102.05717
Geology at Killdeer
This spot sits on Sentinel Butte Formation, mapped as Paleocene siltstone, claystone, and sandstone. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.
- Mapped unit
- Sentinel Butte Formation
- Age
- Paleocene
- Rock types
- siltstone, claystone, and sandstone
- Elevation
- 1,850 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 Killdeer
Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 23°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 3°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BEULAH 1 W station (15 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 Killdeer
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
- Knife River FlintEncyclopedia →
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Killdeer.
- Crowley QuarryMercer County, North Dakota · 17 mi awayFlint
- RichardtonTop pick in North DakotaStark County, North Dakota · 27 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Agatized Wood
- DickinsonStark County, North Dakota · 36 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony
- Hettinger CountyHettinger County, North Dakota · 46 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood
- MandanTop pick in North DakotaMorton County, North Dakota · 58 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- BismarckTop pick in North DakotaBurleigh County, North Dakota · 64 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood
- MedoraTop pick in North DakotaBillings County, North Dakota · 69 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood
- Little Missouri RiverTop pick in North DakotaMcKenzie County, North Dakota · 70 mi awayMontana Moss Agate, Jasper, Agatized Wood
Killdeer FAQ
Where is Killdeer?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Killdeer?+
Is collecting allowed at Killdeer?+
What tools should I bring to Killdeer?+
When is the best time to visit Killdeer?+
How do I get to Killdeer?+
More rockhounding in North Dakota
See all 20 North Dakota spots →Open Killdeer on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
