Scenic: Blue Chalcedony & Carnelian Rockhounding in Pennington County, South Dakota

Updated June 2026

Scenic is a mapped rockhounding spot in Pennington County, South Dakota. Reported finds include blue chalcedony, carnelian, aquamarine, beryl, garnet, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Pennington County
State: South Dakota
Nearest road: East Highway 44
Coordinates: 43.75225, -102.49660

Geology at Scenic

This spot sits on White River Group, mapped as claystone, siltstone, and sandstone that formed roughly 56 to 23 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: White River Group
Age: 56–23 Ma (Eocene to Oligocene)
Rock types: claystone, siltstone, and sandstone
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 Scenic

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 8°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WASTA station (22 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 Scenic

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 Scenic.

Across the state line from Scenic

Scenic 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.

Scenic FAQ

Where is Scenic?+

Scenic is in Pennington County, South Dakota, at 43.75225, -102.49660. Nearest road: East Highway 44.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Scenic?+

Scenic is reported to produce Blue Chalcedony, Carnelian, Aquamarine, Beryl, Garnet, Jasper, Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Scenic?+

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 Scenic?+

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 Scenic?+

The most comfortable months at Scenic are March to November.

How do I get to Scenic?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.75225, -102.49660 in Google Maps. The nearest road is East Highway 44.

More rockhounding in South Dakota

See all 43 South Dakota spots →

Open Scenic on the map

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