Dickinson: Agate & Chalcedony Rockhounding in Stark County, North Dakota

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Stark County
State: North Dakota
Nearest road: Lehigh Road
Coordinates: 46.87061, -102.69241

Geology at Dickinson

This spot sits on Sentinel Butte Formation, mapped as siltstone, claystone, and sandstone that formed roughly 66 to 56 million years ago. Tough silica like agate, jasper, and chert typically weathers out of beds like these and collects as float in drainages and on deflation surfaces.

Mapped unit: Sentinel Butte Formation
Age: 66–56 Ma (Paleocene)
Rock types: siltstone, claystone, and sandstone
Elevation: 2,330 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 Dickinson

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 84°F in midsummer and 27°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 3°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, DICKINSON EXP STN station (6 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 Dickinson

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 Dickinson.

Dickinson FAQ

Where is Dickinson?+

Dickinson is in Stark County, North Dakota, at 46.87061, -102.69241. Nearest road: Lehigh Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Dickinson?+

Dickinson is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony.

Is collecting allowed at Dickinson?+

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 Dickinson?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Dickinson?+

The most comfortable months at Dickinson are April to October.

How do I get to Dickinson?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.87061, -102.69241 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Lehigh Road.

More rockhounding in North Dakota

See all 20 North Dakota spots →

Open Dickinson on the map

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