Where to Find Pyrite in Missouri
Missouri pyrite comes mostly from the Tri-State and Old Lead Belt districts, where it accompanies the galena-sphalerite ores that made the state the largest lead producer in U.S. history. The Picher field crosses the Oklahoma line into Jasper and Newton counties, and the dumps and chat piles around Joplin still carry pyrite crystallized in dolomite vugs, often as bright, undamaged cubes alongside sphalerite. The Old Lead Belt around Bonne Terre and Flat River in St. Francois County produces pyrite as crusts on dolomite and limestone, with the Buick and Brushy Creek mines (Viburnum Trend) adding larger crystals. Cube faces tend to be striated and golden, with minimal tarnish underground.
Every pyrite spot we track in Missouri
Best spotFabius RiverLewis County, MissouriPublic access · Geode, Calcite, Malachite +4
FredericktownMadison County, MissouriPublic access · Aragonite, Azurite, Calcite +10
JoplinJasper County, MissouriPermission required · Apatite, Aragonite, Azurite +10- Cole CountyCole County, MissouriPublic access · Barite, Calcite, Cerussite +9
- Decaturville CraterLaclede County, MissouriPublic access · Albite, Galena, Glauconite +9
- Ruepple Iron MineFranklin County, MissouriPublic access · Amethyst, Goethite, Hematite +9
- SteelvilleCrawford County, MissouriPublic access · Allophane, Amethyst, Azurite +9
- Eldon & EttervilleMoniteau County, MissouriPublic access · Barite, Calcite, Cerussite +8
- St. Francois CountySaint Francois County, MissouriPublic access · Barite, Goethite, Pyrite +7
- BixbyIron County, MissouriPublic access · Bornite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite +6
- Copper Hill MineCrawford County, MissouriPermission required · Azurite, Barite, Chalcopyrite +6
- Moselle Iron MinesPhelps County, MissouriPublic access · Amethyst, Arsenopyrite, Azurite +6
- Old MinesWashington County, MissouriPublic access · Barite, Calcite, Galena +6
- PalmerWashington County, MissouriPublic access · Anglesite, Calcite, Cerussite +6
- Saint ClairFranklin County, MissouriPublic access · Anglesite, Galena, Barite +5
- St. FrancisvilleClark County, MissouriPublic access · Geode, Barite, Calcite +5
- SullivanCrawford County, MissouriPublic access · Azurite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite +5
- TroyLincoln County, MissouriPublic access · Calcite, Marcasite, Pyrite +5
- Defiance QuarrySaint Charles County, MissouriPublic access · Yellow Calcite, White Calcite, Goethite +4
- Finger Lakes State ParkBoone County, MissouriPublic access · Aragonite, Copiapite, Gypsum +4
- Alice Mine near ElijahHowell County, MissouriPublic access · Dolomite, Greenockite, Pyrite +3
- ArnoldJefferson County, MissouriPublic access · Geode, Dolomite, Marcasite +3
- NewarkKnox County, MissouriPublic access · Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Goethite +3
- ScotiaCrawford County, MissouriPublic access · Azurite, Goethite, Hematite +3
- Sugar CreekBuchanan County, MissouriPublic access · Septarian Nodule, Aragonite, Calcite +3
- Adrian’s QuarryBoone County, MissouriPublic access · Calcite, Chalcopyrite, Marcasite +2
- Crooked Creek CraterCrawford County, MissouriPublic access · Barite, Galena, Marcasite +2
- St. Louis (barite area)Saint Louis County, MissouriPublic access · Barite, Calcite, Goethite +2
- Bleeding Hill MineCrawford County, MissouriPublic access · Copper, Cuprite, Goethite +1
- Danville QuarryMontgomery County, MissouriPublic access · Calcite, Dolomite, Millerite +1
- LiberalBarton County, MissouriPublic access · Pickeringite, Pyrite, Siderite
- WentworthNewton County, MissouriPublic access · Zinc, Pyrite, Sphalerite
- HannibalRalls County, MissouriPublic access · Marcasite, Pyrite
- SavertonRalls County, MissouriPublic access · Pyrite
- SedaliaPettis County, MissouriPublic access · Pyrite
- TightwadHenry County, MissouriPublic access · Pyrite
Standout pyrite spots in Missouri
Hand-picked from the full list above, with the reason each one earns a trip.
Best counties for pyrite in Missouri
Ranked by the number of mapped pyrite spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
- Crawford County6 spots
- Boone County2 spots
- Franklin County2 spots
- Ralls County2 spots
- Washington County2 spots
- Barton County1 spot
- Buchanan County1 spot
- Clark County1 spot
- Cole County1 spot
- Henry County1 spot
- Howell County1 spot
- Iron County1 spot
- Jasper County1 spot
- Jefferson County1 spot
- Knox County1 spot
- Laclede County1 spot
- Lewis County1 spot
- Lincoln County1 spot
- Madison County1 spot
- Moniteau County1 spot
- Montgomery County1 spot
- Newton County1 spot
- Pettis County1 spot
- Phelps County1 spot
- Saint Charles County1 spot
- Saint Francois County1 spot
- Saint Louis County1 spot
Before you go
Read the pyrite identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Pyrite in the encyclopedia.
Pyrite in Missouri FAQ
Where can you find pyrite in Missouri?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Crawford County, Boone County, and Franklin County. Known collecting areas include Joplin chat piles (Jasper County), Buick and Brushy Creek mines, Viburnum Trend (Iron County), and Bonne Terre and Flat River (St. Francois County). Every spot on this page is on the map, and each spot's own page has its coordinates and access notes.
How many pyrite spots are mapped in Missouri?+
36 spots across 27 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.
Is it legal to collect pyrite in Missouri?+
Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 34 of the 36 mapped spots here sit on land marked public. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find pyrite
More minerals to hunt in Missouri
Hunt pyrite in Missouri with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.
