Agates near Pierre, SD
16 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Pierre report agate. The closest is Interior, about 91 miles out (1 hr 53 min drive).
Agates are banded chalcedony nodules that survive long after their volcanic host rock rots away, which is why they concentrate in gravel bars, beaches, and glacial deposits far from where they formed.
Map of 16 agate collecting spots within 150 miles of Pierre, South Dakota
Closest agates spots to Pierre
- InteriorJackson County, South Dakota91 mi · 1 hr 53 min driveJasper, Chalcedony, Agate
- ValentineCherry County, Nebraska102 mi · 2 hr 7 min driveAgatized Wood, Opalized Wood, Agate
- ScenicPennington County, South Dakota115 mi · 2 hr 23 min driveBlue Chalcedony, Carnelian, Aquamarine
- Fox RidgeMeade County, South Dakota115 mi · 2 hr 24 min driveMoss Agate
- Cheyenne River - Buffalo GapPennington County, South Dakota125 mi · 2 hr 36 min driveFairburn Agate, Agate, Rose Quartz
- Railroad ButtesPennington County, South Dakota128 mi · 2 hr 40 min driveFairburn Agate, Agate, Rose Quartz
Types of agates reported near Pierre
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate12
- Fairburn Agate6
- Moss Agate1
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Pierre
Sorted by distance from Pierre. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InteriorBen Reifel Road | Jackson County | 43.7320, -101.9454 | Public | |
| ValentineN-12 | Cherry County | 42.8972, -100.4905 | Permission | |
| ScenicEast Highway 44 | Pennington County | 43.7522, -102.4966 | Permission | |
| Fox Ridge | Meade County | 44.9937, -102.5241 | Public | |
| Cheyenne River - Buffalo Gap | Pennington County | 43.7642, -102.7247 | Public | |
| Railroad Buttes | Pennington County | 43.8878, -102.8413 | Public | |
| Red ShirtTatanka Numpa Road | Oglala Lakota County | 43.6741, -102.8991 | Permission | |
| Cannonball River | Sioux County | 46.3596, -100.9431 | Permission | |
| French Creek Agate Beds | Custer County | 43.6698, -103.0149 | Public | |
| Fairburn | Custer County | 43.6683, -103.0269 | Public | |
| Cheyenne River | Custer County | 43.6028, -103.0230 | Public | |
| Pine RidgeElder Drive | Sheridan County | 42.9939, -102.5627 | Permission | |
| WhiteclayElder Drive | Sheridan County | 42.9938, -102.5628 | Permission | |
| Oglala | Oglala Lakota County | 43.2963, -102.9105 | Permission | |
| Whiteclay (Fairburn area) | Sheridan County | 42.9960, -102.6282 | Public | |
| OelrichsBlacktail Creek Road | Oglala Lakota County | 43.2010, -102.8806 | Permission |
Agates near Pierre FAQ
Where can I find agates near Pierre?+
16 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Pierre report agate. The closest is Interior in Jackson County, roughly 91 miles away (1 hr 53 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect agates on public land near Pierre?+
8 of the 16 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
What is the fastest way to spot an agate in a gravel bed?+
Look for waxy luster and translucence rather than color. Wet the stone or look right after rain: agate glows softly at thin edges when backlit, while jasper and chert stay opaque. Banding clinches it but is often hidden until the stone is cracked or tumbled.
How far from Pierre do I need to drive?+
The nearest agate spot is about 91 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 150 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Pierre
Agates near other cities
Hunt agates around Pierre with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
