Conata Basin

The Conata Basin area is a local favorite that produces legendary Fairburns year after year.

When to visit: Spring, Fall, Winter (if dry)

What you can find: Fairburn agate, prairie agate, bubblegum agate, petrified wood, jasper.

What to bring: Rock hammer, spray bottle, backpack, water, snacks.

Where to stay: The town of Interior is 7 miles East and offers hotels, camping, gas and food. Dispersed camping is allowed in the National Grasslands in select areas near Interior. Reference the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands map for legal camping areas.

Getting there: From Interior, South Dakota drive 6.5 miles east on HWY 44.  The turnoff to the Baja off-road area is on the North side of the Highway. 

(Site A: 43°42’41.1″N 102°06’03.4″W)

Rockhounding

The Conata Basin offers gumbo rock beds stretching as far as the eye can see. The ground here is known to “breathe” and constant erosion makes it a great spot to find fairburns. Local rockhounds still frequent this area and produce to quality agates every year. The ground in the area is mostly flat, but there are washes and low areas that are good to look. As with any area, getting there first after weather events can help improve your odds of finding a trophy. The Conata Beds are also great for finding nice petrified wood, jaspers and prairie agates.

Gallery

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