Where to Find Pyrite
299 mapped pyrite spots across 52 regions in 3 countries. Pick a region for its local guide, or browse every spot by country below. Pyrite (fool's gold) is brassy iron sulfide that often forms perfect cubes. It shows up in coal-region shales and in many Western mining-district dumps, often alongside galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite.
Top regions for pyrite
United States
271 spots · 42 regions- Utah53
- Missouri36
- North Carolina13
- Pennsylvania11
- Tennessee10
- Virginia10
- Ohio9
- New York8
- Illinois7
- Wisconsin7
- Indiana6
- Minnesota6
- New Jersey6
- Vermont6
- Arizona5
- Montana5
- South Carolina5
- Washington5
- Connecticut4
- Maine4
- Michigan4
- New Mexico4
- Arkansas3
- Colorado3
- Idaho3
- Iowa3
- Kansas3
- Maryland3
- New Hampshire3
- Oklahoma3
- Oregon3
- Texas3
- Alabama2
- California2
- Georgia2
- Kentucky2
- Massachusetts2
- South Dakota2
- Wyoming2
- Nevada1
- Rhode Island1
- West Virginia1
Canada
1 spots · 1 regionsUnited Kingdom
27 spots · 9 regionsMap showing where to find pyrite, with 299 mapped spots
Every mapped pyrite spot
271 mapped pyrite spots in United States, most in Utah (53). 242 public, 0 paid, 23 permission.
Showing the top 100 of 271 spots. Explore all 271 on the map
1 mapped pyrite spots in Canada, most in Ontario (1). 0 public, 1 paid, 0 permission.
| Spot | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beryl PitLetterkenny Road | 45.3319, -77.3909 | Paid / fee |
27 mapped pyrite spots in United Kingdom, most in North Yorkshire (8). 18 public, 2 paid, 7 permission.
Pyrite rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find pyrite?+
Utah, Missouri, North Carolina have the highest concentrations of pyrite in this list. Quality and access vary by area, so open the linked region pages for a detailed view.
How many pyrite rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
299 mapped spots across 52 regions in 3 countries. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect pyrite on public land?+
In the U.S., casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like pyrite is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Rules differ by country and region, so always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify pyrite in the field?+
Field identification of pyrite comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.
