Best spot

Lincoln: Chalcedony & Chert Rockhounding in Benton County, Missouri

Updated June 2026

Lincoln sits at the heart of the mozarkite country in Benton County, the source of Missouri's official state rock, a multicolored gem chert that weathers out of the Mississippian Burlington and Warsaw limestones. Freshly broken cobbles show red, pink, purple, and green banding against gray, and the town hosts an annual mozarkite festival built around the material. It is one of the few places in the country where this specific gem chert occurs in collectible quantity. Reported finds include chalcedony, chert, mozarkite, galena, jasper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Lincoln photos

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

1 photo

A broken mozarkite cobble showing the pink and cream gem chert interior under a dull weathered rind, the banded gem chert that is Missouri's state rock and weathers out around Lincoln in Benton County.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Benton County
State: Missouri
Nearest road: Benton County Northeast 281
Coordinates: 38.38301, -93.23182

Geology at Lincoln

This spot sits on Smithville Dolomite, Powell Dolomite, Cotter Dolomite, Jefferson City Dolomite, mapped as dolostone that formed roughly 485 to 470 million years ago. Chert and agate nodules typically form inside carbonate rock like this and weather out as tough, waxy lumps in soils and creek beds.

Mapped unit: Smithville Dolomite, Powell Dolomite, Cotter Dolomite, Jefferson City Dolomite
Age: 485–470 Ma (Early Ordovician)
Rock types: dolostone
Elevation: 810 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 Lincoln

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 39°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, COLE CAMP 3NW station (7 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 Lincoln

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 Lincoln.

Lincoln FAQ

Where is Lincoln?+

Lincoln is in Benton County, Missouri, at 38.38301, -93.23182. Nearest road: Benton County Northeast 281.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Lincoln?+

Lincoln is reported to produce Chalcedony, Chert, Mozarkite, Galena, Jasper.

Is collecting allowed at Lincoln?+

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. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Lincoln?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Lincoln?+

The most comfortable months at Lincoln are March to November.

How do I get to Lincoln?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.38301, -93.23182 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Benton County Northeast 281.

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