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Lisbon: Quartz & Teredo Petrified Wood Rockhounding in Ransom County, North Dakota

Updated July 2026

Lisbon marks the eastern end of North Dakota's Teredo petrified wood belt, which runs across the state from the Mandan badlands to the Sheyenne River valley. Quartz and silicified wood occur in the glacial gravels and river terraces of the Sheyenne here, far from the western badlands. The Sheyenne is a non-navigable river, so collecting depends on public accesses and landowner permission. Reported finds include quartz, teredo petrified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Lisbon photos

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

1 photo

The Sheyenne River, shown upstream at Valley City; its gravels near Lisbon in Ransom County carry silicified wood

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Ransom County
State: North Dakota
Nearest road: Valley Road
Postcode: 58054
Coordinates: 46.44746, -97.69195

Geology at Lisbon

This spot sits on Greenhorn Formation, mapped as shale that formed roughly 100 to 66 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: Greenhorn Formation
Age: 100–66 Ma (Late Cretaceous)
Rock types: shale
Elevation: 1,090 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 Lisbon

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 19°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 0°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LISBON station (0 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 Lisbon

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 Lisbon.

Lisbon FAQ

Where is Lisbon?+

Lisbon is in Ransom County, North Dakota, at 46.44746, -97.69195. Nearest road: Valley Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Lisbon?+

Lisbon is reported to produce Quartz, Teredo Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Lisbon?+

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 Lisbon?+

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 Lisbon?+

The most comfortable months at Lisbon are April to October.

How do I get to Lisbon?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.44746, -97.69195 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Valley Road.

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