Stockdale: Garnet Rockhounding in Riley County, Kansas

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Riley County

State

Kansas

Nearest road

Frog Holler

Coordinates

39.31183, -96.71918

Geology at Stockdale

This spot sits on Chase Group, mapped as shale and limestone that formed roughly 300 to 250 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit

Chase Group

Age

300–250 Ma (Permian)

Rock types

shale and limestone

Elevation

1,210 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 Stockdale

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 16°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TUTTLE CREEK LAKE station (8 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

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 Stockdale

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

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