Pleasant Valley Creek: Banded Agate & Jade Rockhounding in Custer County, South Dakota

Updated June 2026

Pleasant Valley Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Custer County, South Dakota. Reported finds include banded agate, jade, jasper, fossils, geode. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Custer County
State: South Dakota
Coordinates: 43.55517, -103.72114

Geology at Pleasant Valley Creek

This spot sits on ground mapped as Minnelusa Formation, undivided that formed roughly 325 to 275 million years ago. Fossils here are typically found in fresh exposures, where erosion keeps bringing new material to the surface.

Mapped unit: Minnelusa Formation, undivided
Age: 325–275 Ma (Pennsylvanian to Early Permian)
Elevation: 4,510 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 Pleasant Valley Creek

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 10°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, EDGEMONT 23 NNW station (11 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 Pleasant Valley Creek

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 Pleasant Valley Creek.

Across the state line from Pleasant Valley Creek

Pleasant Valley Creek 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.

Pleasant Valley Creek FAQ

Where is Pleasant Valley Creek?+

Pleasant Valley Creek is in Custer County, South Dakota, at 43.55517, -103.72114.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Pleasant Valley Creek?+

Pleasant Valley Creek is reported to produce Banded Agate, Jade, Jasper, Fossils, Geode.

Is collecting allowed at Pleasant Valley Creek?+

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 Pleasant Valley Creek?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Pleasant Valley Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Pleasant Valley Creek are March to November.

How do I get to Pleasant Valley Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.55517, -103.72114 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in South Dakota

See all 43 South Dakota spots →

Open Pleasant Valley Creek on the map

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