Ardmore — Rockhounding in Fall River County, South Dakota
The badlands and surface gravels east and southeast of the near-ghost town of Ardmore are a well-documented Fairburn agate locality, producing Fairburn agate, agatized wood, jasper, chalcedony, and rose quartz. This is the southern end of the Fairburn agate belt that continues into the Nebraska grasslands, giving collectors a less-crowded alternative to the main Fairburn beds. Reported finds include fairburn agate, agatized wood, jasper, chalcedony, rose quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Ardmore photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Ardmore in Fall River County, South Dakota
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Fall River County
- State
- South Dakota
- Nearest road
- East Ardmore Road
- Coordinates
- 43.01070, -103.46912
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 Ardmore
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 Ardmore.
- OelrichsTop pick in South DakotaFall River County, South Dakota · 17 mi awayFairburn Agate, Jasper, Calcite
- Parker PeakFall River County, South Dakota · 29 mi awayAgatized Wood, Silicified Wood
- OelrichsOglala Lakota County, South Dakota · 32 mi awayAgate
- Buffalo GapCuster County, South Dakota · 33 mi awayFairfield Agate
- OglalaOglala Lakota County, South Dakota · 34 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- PringleCuster County, South Dakota · 38 mi awayFairhill Agate
- Pleasant Valley CreekCuster County, South Dakota · 40 mi awayBanded Agate, Jade, Jasper
- Tepee CanyonTop pick in South DakotaCuster County, South Dakota · 44 mi awayAgate, Beryl, Almandine Garnet
Across the state line from Ardmore
Ardmore 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.
- OrellaDawes County, Nebraska · 6 mi awayFairburn Agate, Jasper, Carnelian
- Little BadlandsSioux County, Nebraska · 12 mi awayVertebrate Fossils
- MontroseSioux County, Nebraska · 15 mi awayAgate, Jasper, Fossils
- Crawford (Fairburn area)Dawes County, Nebraska · 21 mi awayFairburn Agate
- Crawford (jasper area)Dawes County, Nebraska · 23 mi awayFairburn Agate, Jasper, Petrified Wood
- ChadronDawes County, Nebraska · 25 mi awayChalcedony, Blue Chalcedony
Ardmore FAQ
Why is Ardmore one of the best rockhounding spots in South Dakota?+
Where is Ardmore?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Ardmore?+
Is collecting allowed at Ardmore?+
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More rockhounding in South Dakota
See all 43 South Dakota spots →Open Ardmore on the map
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