collecting rocks? (Rapid City, Hill City, Buffalo: landscaping, title, best)

[g33kgrl]

Are there any areas that my daughter would be able to look for rocks for her collection ...

1. Within a 20 min. or so drive from Rapid City.
2. That is easy to get to

Also, are there any more lakes similar to Canyon Lake within a 20-30 min drive from Rapid City? We would mainly use it to view wildlife, play in water if able to, and possibly fish.

Thanks!

[Ghengis]

Badlands NP would be a great place but it's illegal to do so. However, it is not illegal in the Buffalo Gap Nat'l Grasslands nearby and while a bit farther than the 20 minutes you were looking for it is relatively close to that.

badlandsinfo.com » Rock Collecting

[GI_Mark]

Seeing "grl" in your screen name and the title of the thread, I thought maybe this might have something to do with your opinion of the men in South Dakota. Glad to see I was incorrect in my assumption... Sorry I can't help in any other capacity than a poor attempt at humor !!!

[g33kgrl]

Ghengis - Thank you for the info I will look it up and see what I can find.

GI_Mark - that is very funny!

[DannyBanany]

Petrified Forest is about 20 minutes from Rapid City on I-90 West. When I was little I found a snail fossil there and it's on display! That'd be a great place to go. The Black Hills are a geological wonder so pretty much anywhere you go you can find some odd rock formation.

The only other places similar to Canyon Lake would be the Memorial Park Pond and the Roosevelt Park Fountains. Hippie Hole is a small lake in the hills but it's not really a park or anything. If you want a good place to fish try Trout Haven or anywhere up in Rimrock.

Trout Haven Resort and Tourist Attraction

[g33kgrl]

Thanks Danny! Great info as always

[rjl78]

There are some in and around Hill City and Keystone if I recall. Kinda tourist trappy places but it might be a run way to spend some time.

[eric#1]

I have made my best finds in creek beds. The water is a bit high right now (hmm wonder why) but in the Fall head towards Rochford and Mystic and you should have great luck. Honestly a good hike anywhere in the hills will eventually bring about some good finds. My wife and I have built a large number of rock retaining walls and we always end up finding some great decorative stones to toss in our pockets, and over time we have stumbled across some great larger and very unique stones for landscaping.

[g33kgrl]

Thanks rjl and eric!!