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Yellville Mines: Galena & Pyrite Rockhounding in Marion County, Arkansas

Updated July 2026

Yellville belongs to north Arkansas's historic lead-zinc belt, where Arkansas Geological Survey summaries record galena, sphalerite, and smithsonite production from Marion County and nearby Ozark districts. The mine-dump setting is notable because it exposes a compact suite of sulfide and carbonate zinc minerals in a state better known to many collectors for quartz and diamonds. Reported finds include galena, pyrite, smithsonite, sphalerite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Yellville Mines photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

2 photos

Quick details

Access: Check locally
County: Marion County
State: Arkansas
Nearest road: Mine Level Trail
Coordinates: 36.13319, -92.56237

Geology at Yellville Mines

This spot sits on St. Peter Sandstone and Everton Formation (Middle Ordovician), mapped as sandstone and dolostone that formed roughly 470 to 460 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this is the classic host for lead, zinc, and fluorite mineralization, which typically follows old cavities and replacement zones.

Mapped unit: St. Peter Sandstone and Everton Formation (Middle Ordovician)
Age: 470–460 Ma (Middle Ordovician)
Rock types: sandstone and dolostone
Elevation: 910 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Yellville Mines

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 47°F in winter to 88°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GILBERT station (13 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Confirm rules before collecting

Land status here is not confirmed. Verify with the managing agency before collecting — federal, state, and tribal rules differ.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Ouachita National Forest — Mineral Collecting
Crater of Diamonds State Park — Rules and finds
Arkansas Geological Survey
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Yellville Mines

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Yellville Mines.

Across the state line from Yellville Mines

Yellville Mines is close enough to the Arkansas border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Yellville Mines FAQ

Where is Yellville Mines?+

Yellville Mines is in Marion County, Arkansas, at 36.13319, -92.56237. Nearest road: Mine Level Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Yellville Mines?+

Yellville Mines is reported to produce Galena, Pyrite, Smithsonite, Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at Yellville Mines?+

Confirm rules before collecting. Land status here is not confirmed. Verify with the managing agency before collecting — federal, state, and tribal rules differ. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Yellville Mines?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Yellville Mines?+

Yellville Mines is workable year-round.

How do I get to Yellville Mines?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 36.13319, -92.56237 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Mine Level Trail.

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