Where to Find 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.
Every agate spot within 150 miles of Pierre
InteriorJackson County, South Dakota · 91 mi awayPublic access · Jasper, Chalcedony, Agate
Best spotValentineCherry County, Nebraska · 102 mi awayPermission required · Agatized Wood, Opalized Wood, Agate +1
ScenicPennington County, South Dakota · 115 mi awayPermission required · Blue Chalcedony, Carnelian, Aquamarine +4- Fox RidgeMeade County, South Dakota · 115 mi awayPublic access · Moss Agate
- Cheyenne River - Buffalo GapPennington County, South Dakota · 125 mi awayPublic access · Fairburn Agate, Agate, Rose Quartz +1
- Railroad ButtesPennington County, South Dakota · 128 mi awayPublic access · Fairburn Agate, Agate, Rose Quartz +1
- Red ShirtOglala Lakota County, South Dakota · 135 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Cannonball RiverSioux County, North Dakota · 141 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Silicified Wood +1
- French Creek Agate BedsCuster County, South Dakota · 141 mi awayPublic access · Fairburn Agate, Agate, Rose Quartz +1
Best spotFairburnCuster County, South Dakota · 141 mi awayPublic access · Fairburn Agate, Agatized Wood, Yellow Jasper- Best spotCheyenne RiverCuster County, South Dakota · 143 mi awayPublic access · Fairburn Agate
- Pine RidgeSheridan County, Nebraska · 146 mi awayPermission required · Quartz Concretion, Agate, Petrified Wood +1
- WhiteclaySheridan County, Nebraska · 146 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +1
- OglalaOglala Lakota County, South Dakota · 148 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Whiteclay (Fairburn area)Sheridan County, Nebraska · 148 mi awayPublic access · Fairburn Agate, Jasper, Chalcedony +3
- OelrichsOglala Lakota County, South Dakota · 150 mi awayPermission required · Agate
Types of agates reported near Pierre
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Agate12
- Fairburn Agate6
- Moss Agate1
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
Where to Find 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.
