November Mine: Arsenopyrite & Fluorapatite Rockhounding in Custer County, South Dakota

Updated June 2026

November Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Custer County, South Dakota. Reported finds include arsenopyrite, fluorapatite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Custer County
State: South Dakota
Nearest road: Needles Highway
Coordinates: 43.83729, -103.54311

Geology at November Mine

This spot sits on ground mapped as Harney Peak Granite that formed roughly 2500 to 1600 million years ago. Plutonic rock like this weathers slowly into grus and boulders, and the most productive collecting is typically in weathered zones and drainages.

Mapped unit: Harney Peak Granite
Age: 2500–1600 Ma (Paleoproterozoic)
Elevation: 6,060 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 November Mine

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 76°F in midsummer and 34°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 16°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MT RUSHMORE NMEM station (5 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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 November Mine

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 November Mine.

Across the state line from November Mine

November Mine is close enough to the South Dakota border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

November Mine FAQ

Where is November Mine?+

November Mine is in Custer County, South Dakota, at 43.83729, -103.54311. Nearest road: Needles Highway.

What rocks and minerals can you find at November Mine?+

November Mine is reported to produce Arsenopyrite, Fluorapatite.

Is collecting allowed at November Mine?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to November Mine?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit November Mine?+

The most comfortable months at November Mine are April to October.

How do I get to November Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.83729, -103.54311 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Needles Highway.

More rockhounding in South Dakota

See all 43 South Dakota spots →

Open November Mine on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.