Black Hills National Forest
Custer, South Dakota
rose quartzquartz crystalsmicafeldsparpegmatite minerals
Forest Service collecting area · Free
Black Hills National Forest
The Black Hills pegmatites are why South Dakota's state mineral is rose quartz, and the forest permits picking up small rocks and minerals from the surface for personal use with no permit. The limits are firm: surface only, no digging or excavating, nothing from archaeological or historic sites, and no fossils whatsoever. The forest itself warns that most accessible deposits are already claimed — check county records and BLM's MLRS claim tool before you fill a pocket, because an active claim is private ground even inside a public forest.
The card catalog
| What you can find | rose quartz, quartz crystals, mica, feldspar, pegmatite minerals |
|---|---|
| Access | Forest Service collecting area — Free |
| Fees | Free. The forest states plainly that collecting small rocks or minerals from the surface for personal use does not require a permit. Hand gold panning needs no permit in South Dakota; motorized equipment or suction dredges require a Notice of Intent. Wilderness areas, acquired mineral lands, and mineral withdrawal areas are closed. |
| Season & hours | Year-round where roads are open, but high-country forest roads close under snow from roughly November into April. Summer is crowded; September is the collector's month. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Very workable with kids because the rule is surface-only anyway — no shovels, no holes, just walking and looking. Keep them clear of old mine adits and prospect pits, which are common in the Hills and genuinely dangerous. |
| Official source | USDA Forest Service, Black Hills National Forest |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Black Hills National Forest cost?
Free. The forest states plainly that collecting small rocks or minerals from the surface for personal use does not require a permit. Hand gold panning needs no permit in South Dakota; motorized equipment or suction dredges require a Notice of Intent. Wilderness areas, acquired mineral lands, and mineral withdrawal areas are closed. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Black Hills National Forest open?
Year-round where roads are open, but high-country forest roads close under snow from roughly November into April. Summer is crowded; September is the collector's month. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Black Hills National Forest good for kids?
Yes — Black Hills National Forest works for families. Very workable with kids because the rule is surface-only anyway — no shovels, no holes, just walking and looking. Keep them clear of old mine adits and prospect pits, which are common in the Hills and genuinely dangerous.