Fox Ridge: Moss Agate Rockhounding in Meade County, South Dakota

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Meade County

State

South Dakota

Coordinates

44.99367, -102.52407

Geology at Fox Ridge

This spot sits on Hell Creek Formation, mapped as shale that formed roughly 100 to 66 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

Hell Creek Formation

Age

100–66 Ma (Late Cretaceous)

Rock types

shale

Elevation

2,860 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 Fox Ridge

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 30°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MAURINE 12SW station (9 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 Fox Ridge

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

• Moss AgateEncyclopedia →