Hettinger County: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Hettinger County, North Dakota

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Hettinger County
State: North Dakota
Nearest road: State Highway 8
Coordinates: 46.51168, -102.31703

Geology at Hettinger County

This spot sits on Sentinel Butte Formation, mapped as siltstone, claystone, and sandstone 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: Sentinel Butte Formation
Age: 66–56 Ma (Paleocene)
Rock types: siltstone, claystone, and sandstone
Elevation: 2,420 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 County

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 27°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 4°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MOTT station (9 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 Hettinger County

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 Hettinger County.

Hettinger County FAQ

Where is Hettinger County?+

Hettinger County is in Hettinger County, North Dakota, at 46.51168, -102.31703. Nearest road: State Highway 8.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Hettinger County?+

Hettinger County is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood, Jasper, Selenite.

Is collecting allowed at Hettinger County?+

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 County?+

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 County?+

The most comfortable months at Hettinger County are April to October.

How do I get to Hettinger County?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.51168, -102.31703 in Google Maps. The nearest road is State Highway 8.

More rockhounding in North Dakota

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Open Hettinger County on the map

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