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McKenzie County: Montana Moss Agate & Jasper Rockhounding in McKenzie County, North Dakota

Updated July 2026

McKenzie County holds the largest share of the Little Missouri National Grassland, the one broadly reliable place in North Dakota to collect on public land. The Forest Service allows casual hand collection of petrified wood, agate, and chalcedony for personal use, and the county's badlands gravels are a documented source of Montana moss agate, jasper, and silicified wood. Vertebrate fossils are protected by law and may not be taken. Reported finds include montana moss agate, jasper, silicified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

McKenzie County photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Badlands buttes on the Little Missouri National Grassland, McKenzie County, North Dakota

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: McKenzie County
State: North Dakota
Coordinates: 47.98241, -103.83910

Geology at McKenzie County

This spot sits on Bullion Creek Formation, mapped as claystone and siltstone 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: Bullion Creek Formation
Age: 66–56 Ma (Paleocene)
Rock types: claystone and siltstone
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 McKenzie County

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 25°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 5°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WILLISTON EXP FARM station (12 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 McKenzie 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 McKenzie County.

Across the state line from McKenzie County

McKenzie County 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.

GlendiveTop pick in MontanaDawson County, Montana · 71 mi awayAgate, Jasper, Moss Opal

McKenzie County FAQ

Where is McKenzie County?+

McKenzie County is in McKenzie County, North Dakota, at 47.98241, -103.83910.

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

McKenzie County is reported to produce Montana Moss Agate, Jasper, Silicified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at McKenzie 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 McKenzie 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 McKenzie County?+

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

How do I get to McKenzie County?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 47.98241, -103.83910 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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Open McKenzie County on the map

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