Hell Canyon — Rockhounding in Custer County, South Dakota
Hell Canyon is a mapped rockhounding spot in Custer County, South Dakota. Reported finds include banded agate, jade, jasper, geode, fossils. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Map showing Hell Canyon in Custer County, South Dakota
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Custer County
- State
- South Dakota
- Nearest road
- Hell Canyon Trail
- Coordinates
- 43.74935, -103.84205
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 Hell Canyon
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 Hell Canyon.
- Tin MountainCuster County, South Dakota · 6 mi awayFluorapatite, Quartz, Almandine Garnet
- Laughing Water CreekCuster County, South Dakota · 12 mi awayColumbite, Gold, Silver
- Tepee CanyonCuster County, South Dakota · 15 mi awayAgate, Beryl, Almandine Garnet
- Pleasant Valley CreekCuster County, South Dakota · 15 mi awayBanded Agate, Jade, Jasper
- November MineCuster County, South Dakota · 16 mi awayArsenopyrite, Fluorapatite
- PringleCuster County, South Dakota · 17 mi awayFairhill Agate
- Hill CityPennington County, South Dakota · 18 mi awayBeryl, Red Cassiterite, Cervantite
- KeystonePennington County, South Dakota · 23 mi awayTourmaline, Spodumene, Lepidolite
Across the state line from Hell Canyon
Hell Canyon 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.
- NewcastleWeston County, Wyoming · 14 mi awayGypsum
- Black Hills National ForestCrook County, Wyoming · 44 mi awayFluorite, Gold
- MontroseSioux County, Nebraska · 57 mi awayAgate, Jasper, Fossils
- Warren PeakCrook County, Wyoming · 58 mi awayAzurite, Malachite
- Copper Prince MineCrook County, Wyoming · 60 mi awayChrysocolla, Gold, Malachite
- OrellaDawes County, Nebraska · 60 mi awayFairburn Agate, Jasper, Carnelian
Hell Canyon FAQ
Where is Hell Canyon?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Hell Canyon?+
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More rockhounding in South Dakota
See all 43 South Dakota spots →Open Hell Canyon on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
