South Dakota

Rockhounding Regulations

General Rules

  • • BLM lands: 25 pounds per day, 250 pounds per year
  • • State Parks allow small quantities of pebbles/rocks by hand
  • • Black Hills National Forest allows limited collecting
  • • Hand tools only for casual collecting
  • • Personal use only, no commercial collecting without permit

Permits & Licenses

  • • State Parks require permit for larger quantities
  • • No permits for casual collecting on BLM lands
  • • National Forest generally doesn't require permits
  • • Commercial collecting requires special permits

Restrictions

  • • Collection for commercial sale prohibited in state parks
  • • National Parks (Badlands, Wind Cave) prohibit all collecting
  • • Removal of natural features requires permit
  • • Some areas closed for cultural significance

Contacts

  • • South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks: (605) 773-3391
  • • South Dakota Geological Survey: (605) 394-2467
  • • Black Hills National Forest: (605) 673-9200
  • • BLM South Dakota: (605) 892-7000