Smoky Hill River (amber): Amber & Barite Roses Rockhounding in Ellsworth County, Kansas

Updated July 2026

Smoky Hill River (amber) is a mapped rockhounding spot in Ellsworth County, Kansas. Reported finds include amber, barite roses. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Permission required
County: Ellsworth County
State: Kansas
Coordinates: 38.65862, -98.05761

Geology at Smoky Hill River (amber)

This spot sits on Alluvium, mapped as sand, silt, and clay that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Alluvium
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: sand, silt, and clay
Elevation: 1,510 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 Smoky Hill River (amber)

Best months: February to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 42°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, KANOPOLIS LAKE station (6 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Permission required before collecting

Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization.

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.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Smoky Hill River (amber)

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 Smoky Hill River (amber).

Smoky Hill River (amber) FAQ

Where is Smoky Hill River (amber)?+

Smoky Hill River (amber) is in Ellsworth County, Kansas, at 38.65862, -98.05761.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Smoky Hill River (amber)?+

Smoky Hill River (amber) is reported to produce Amber, Barite Roses.

Is collecting allowed at Smoky Hill River (amber)?+

Permission required before collecting. Requires landowner or agency permission before any collecting. Do not enter without explicit authorization. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Smoky Hill River (amber)?+

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 Smoky Hill River (amber)?+

The most comfortable months at Smoky Hill River (amber) are February to June.

How do I get to Smoky Hill River (amber)?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.65862, -98.05761 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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