Rockhound Locations in Missouri
Here at Rockhounding Maps, we give you access and information to the best dig sites for crystals and minerals in Missouri. On top of that, we’ve created a resource page to assist with answering all of your gem and mineral collecting questions.
We hope you enjoy your time on our site and come back often because we’re always adding new dig locations and crystal collecting updates. This is a great resource for anyone who loves rockhounding, from beginners to experts alike!
Rockhounding in Missouri is a great way to discover the state’s diverse geology and fossilized wildlife. The number of potential collecting sites here makes it an excellent location for those interested not only in rocks, but also minerals that can be found within them!
We are here for any questions or concerns that might arise about your adventures in mineral collecting.
Missouri Rockhound Locations
Missouri tends to be overlooked regarding rockhounding. Which is a shame because it’s home to some excellent locations for rock and mineral collectors. Missouri’s geology is primarily dominated by the Ozark Uplift, which is believed to be one of the most mineral-rich regions on the planet. Rockhounds can find many large quarries and old mines dotting the beautiful landscape.
Have you ever dreamed of going on a rock-hounding adventure in Missouri? There are quite a few locations to dig for crystals, gems, Petrified Wood, Fossils, and Agate. With its diverse landscape, Missouri can be a perfect place for you to hunt for rocks!
Be polite wherever you explore. Always pack out what you packed in. Meaning if you stop for a snack while rockhounding at any site, clean up after yourself and pack your trash items back out with you.
Always do your research regarding laws and regulations, and don’t forget to ask for permission to access an area and collect specimens.
This article will discuss the top rockhound locations in Missouri and the different types of rocks and minerals you can collect. Don’t forget to make it to the bottom of the page because we list out the best rock and mineral societies in the state. If you’re serious about collecting rocks then you’ll want to join one of these amazing clubs.
If you’re an active rock collector in Missouri then send us an email about your favorite locations and we will feature you on the site and we might sponsor you as well. That’s right, we will pay you to go dig for rocks and minerals.
So, if you’re ready to embark on a rock-hounding journey, read on to find out more!
Missouri Geodes Maps
| Location Name | Longitude and Latitude | Rocks and Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
| Alexandria & Wayland, creek and river banks | 40.358332, -91.508922 | St. Francisville Geodes |
| Fox City | 40.426168, -91.629288 | Geodes (dog tooth calcite) |
| Kahoka along Fox River | 40.450196, -91.698611 | Geodes |
| St. Francisville, near Weaver’s Branch | 40.454084, -91.578393 | Geodes |
| Fabius River | 39.975563, -91.621794 | Geodes (aragonite, calcite, pyrite) |
| Weber Quarry | 38.804337, -90.742856 | Geodes (calcite, fluorite) |
| Arnold | 38.419174, -90.389581 | Geodes |
If you’re looking for crystals then the streams and river gravel in northwestern Missouri are the place to look. Rockhounds can find awesome Septarian nodules that contain Aragonite, Celestite, and Calcite if they check the area of Sugar Creek.
Many rockhounds claim that northeastern Missouri is one of the best regions to go geode hunting. It’s mainly because hounds can find the incredibly famous Keokuk geodes.
Southeastern Missouri contains large quarries and old mines, but you have to get permission for access. If you’re interested in hunting for Mozarkite, Missouri’s state rock, head anywhere along the western slopes of the incredible Ozark Mountains.
Southwestern Missouri is full of local streams and rivers which are excellent places to find Petrified Wood and Agate. With permission to explore the old mines and quarries of southwestern Missouri, you’ll have access to minerals like Azurite, Galena, Malachite, and Pyrite.
Missouri Agate Maps
| Location Name | Longitude and Latitude | Rocks and Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
| Marble Hill gravels | 37.282120, -89.923268 | Agate, Petrified wood |
| Cape Girardeau County | 37.388839, -89.651729 | Agate, Petrified wood |
| Greenfield | 37.416191, -93.830965 | Agate, Chert, Petrified wood |
| Lincoln area gravel pits | 38.383012, -93.231823 | Chalcedony, Mozarkite, Jasper, Galena |
| Warsaw | 38.186758, -93.382065 | Agate, Mozarkite |
| La Grange | 40.046912, -91.495841 | Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper |
| Gallatin, Grand River | 39.919312, -93.940530 | Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper, Petrified wood, Fossils |
| Gentry County | 40.207737, -94.375427 | Agate, Jasper, Fossils, Petrified wood |
| Daviess County | 39.965341, -93.997453 | Agate, Jasper, Fossils |
| Grundy County | 40.119635, -93.529573 | Agate, Fossils, Petrified wood |
| Livingston County | 39.754501, -93.573896 | Agate, Jasper, Petrified wood |
Seeing that Missouri is one of the most mineral-rich areas, it’s no surprise that the Ozarks are loaded with commercial minerals. The numerous quarries and large mines are a testament to that.
Rockhounds can find minerals like Agate, Jasper, Geodes, Chalcedony, and Petrified Wood. Looking beyond the Quartz family, rockhounds can also find beautiful specimens of minerals, including Marcasite, Galena, Calcite, Dolomite, and Sphalerite.
Dig For Crystals in Missouri
| Location Name | Longitude and Latitude | Rocks and Gemstones |
|---|---|---|
| Eminence area mines | 37.098366, -91.316066 | Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Cuprite, Dolomite, Malachite, Fluorite |
| St. Francois County | 37.894763, -90.526140 | Barite, Goethite, Pyrite, Quartz, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Galena |
| Iron Mountain area mines | 37.709241, -90.634301 | Garnet, Apatite, Barite, Calcite, Diopside, Epidote, Fluorite, Magnetite |
| Moselle Iron Mines | 37.834585, -91.828794 | Amethyst, Chalcopyrite, Hematite, Malachite, Marcasite |
| De Soto road cut | 38.081033, -90.485365 | Calcite (fluorescent) |
| Palmer mines | 37.846442, -90.944447 | Anglesite, Calcite, Cerussite, Dolomite, Galena, Pyrite, Quartz, Sphalerite |
| Fredericktown | 37.615375, -90.284670 | Aragonite, Calcite, Cerussite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Dolomite, Galena, Marcasite, Pyrite, Quartz, Sphalerite |
| Bellview | 37.640664, -90.810674 | Actinolite |
| Bixby area mines | 37.602858, -91.116856 | Chalcopyrite, Galena, Malachite, Marcasite, Pyrite, Sphalerite |
| Graniteville area quarries | 37.661740, -90.681363 | Actinolite, Apatite, Beryl, Fluorite, Galena, Hematite, Smoky Quartz, Topaz |
| Cuthbertson Mountain | 37.542220, -90.651165 | Hematite, Chalcopyrite, Copper, Epidote, Garnet |
| Shepherd Mountain | 37.606460, -90.643455 | Fluorite, Hematite, Magnetite, Quartz |
| Jefferson County | 38.462234, -90.420604 | Calcite (nodules), Sphalerite |
| Crooked Creek Crater | 37.832975, -91.411306 | Barite, Galena, Marcasite, Pyrite, Sphalerite |
| Simmons Mine | 37.634077, -91.551055 | Hematite, Quartz crystals |
| Mansfield | 37.110732, -92.543188 | Galena, Smithsonite, Sphalerite |
| Joplin | 37.194968, -94.475557 | Apatite, Aragonite, Barite, Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Dolomite, Galena, Garnet, Pyrite, Sphalerite |
| Decaturville Crater | 37.892992, -92.708479 | Galena, Marcasite, Muscovite, Opal, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Tourmaline |
| Cole County | 38.368585, -92.391621 | Barite, Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Dolomite, Hematite, Galena, Pyrite, Quartz, Sphalerite |
Things To Consider When Choosing Sites To Go Rockhounding
Please remember that it is our responsibility, as rockhounds, to obtain the permission of landowners before searching and collecting pieces or specimens on the property.
Suppose you want to determine what type of public land a location is. In that case, it’s a good idea to check the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Natural Area Maps.
Every county in Missouri has records of who owns each piece of property, and you can generally get a landowner’s name and address from the county records office. This information is true for most states, so keep that in mind.
Rock And Mineral Societies
Rock and mineral societies or clubs are excellent places to connect with other rockhounds in an area. Not only can you meet new people, but some clubs or societies also offer classes where you can learn new skills.
Central Missouri Rock & Lapidary Club
This rock and lapidary club is a non-profit organization for anyone interested in learning more about rocks, minerals, gems, fossils, and the lapidary arts. Central Missouri Rock and Lapidary Club’s primary purpose is to provide education and encourage the study and knowledge of geology, paleontology, mineralogy, metal crafts, earth sciences, and the lapidary arts.
Rockhounds in and around Columbia, Missouri, should check them out. Club members get together on the first Wednesday of every month in the sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Columbia. You’ll find that this club has something for everyone, with groups for youth and adults.
Club meetings are open to anyone, not only club members. Central Missouri Rock and Lapidary Club’s (CMRLC) youth meet a half-hour earlier than the adults on the same date and in the same location. New educational topics are discussed monthly, and youth members are encouraged to bring their specimens. They’re also encouraged to ask questions.
As a group, members do a range of activities throughout the year. CMRLC also hosts an annual gem and mineral show every spring. Club member exhibits rotate throughout the year at the Daniel Boone Regional Library.
The Ozarks Gem and Mineral Society, founded in 1957, is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing rockhounds in the Ozarks a place to gather and learn. The society aims to study geology, earth science, mineralogy, and paleontology interests.
The Ozarks Gem and Mineral Society are a member club of the Midwest Federation of Mineralogical & Geological societies, which is a member of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies.
The monthly presentation typically includes educational materials covering topics like cleaning minerals and rocks, pseudomorphs, and the toxicity of various specimens. OGMS members usually meet at a predetermined location and convoy to sites for various field trips throughout the year. Crystal collecting in Arkansas, hunting for Mozarkite in Missouri, and a trip to Kentucky to find agates are a few of the past field trips members have taken.
OGMS offers training classes, including a workshop with various lapidary equipment and hands-on tutorials. The society also holds other club-oriented classes. One of the awesome perks of being a member of OGMS is that they get into the Annual Springfield Rock, Gem & Mineral Show without paying an entrance fee.
Mineral Area Gem & Mineral Society
The Mineral Area Gem and Mineral Society (MAGMS) aims to develop interests in and increase knowledge of rocks, minerals, earth sciences, fossils, and the lapidary arts. The gem and mineral society also wants to be a place for people to share rockhounding interests.
This club or society hosts regularly planned open meetings, publications, programs, committees, and special projects of assistance to the community, and members take occasional monthly field trips.
MAGMS has a Facebook group where anyone can join. Members are free to ask rockhounding questions, learn about identifying specimens and see postings about the society’s meetings.
Show-Me Rockhounds – Kansas City
Show-Me Rockhounds is another non-profit organization. They’re affiliated with the Midwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the Association of Earth Science Clubs of Greater Kansas City, Inc.
The club’s purpose is to further the study and awareness of the earth sciences among its members and the general public. Monthly meetings are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month, around 11 am, in various locations. One of the reasons the club doesn’t meet at one specific site is because of how large the club has grown. Those interested in attending meetings will have to keep an eye out for the newsletter on the club’s website.
Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings with or without a membership. There are also fun geology-related things for the little ones to enjoy.
Association of Earth Science Clubs
The Association of Earth Science Clubs of Greater Kansas City’s primary goals and focus are scientific and educational. They strive to promote interest in the lapidary arts and geology, encourage collecting and displaying specimens, and have more significant public interest and education in minerals and gems. The club encourages field trips that are mineralogical, geological, or lapidary in nature.
Something remarkable about this club is that the clubs of the Association make donations to the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the Midwest Federation, as well as the Scholarship Fund. The Association established its own scholarship fund, presenting scholarships to several college students every semester. The aim is to help interested and deserving students the opportunity to further their education in earth sciences.
