Best spot

Warsaw: Agate & Chert Rockhounding in Benton County, Missouri

Updated June 2026

Warsaw anchors the southern end of the Benton County mozarkite belt and sits on the Harry S. Truman Reservoir, where falling lake levels expose chert and mozarkite cobbles along the shoreline. The same Burlington and Warsaw limestone weathering that supplies Lincoln also feeds gravels and lakeshores around Warsaw, yielding banded gem chert plus agate and ordinary chert. It is a second strong access point for the state rock, with miles of public shoreline to walk. Reported finds include agate, chert, mozarkite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Warsaw photos

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

1 photo

A broken mozarkite cobble with a pink and cream gem chert interior under a dull weathered exterior, the banded gem chert that turns up on Truman Reservoir shorelines and in gravels around Warsaw.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Benton County
State: Missouri
Coordinates: 38.18676, -93.38206

Geology at Warsaw

This spot sits on ground mapped as limestone and siltstone that formed roughly 360 to 325 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.

Age: 360–325 Ma (Mississippian)
Rock types: limestone and siltstone
Elevation: 840 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 Warsaw

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 42°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, TRUMAN DAM & RSVR station (5 mi away).

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 Warsaw

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 Warsaw.

Warsaw FAQ

Where is Warsaw?+

Warsaw is in Benton County, Missouri, at 38.18676, -93.38206.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Warsaw?+

Warsaw is reported to produce Agate, Chert, Mozarkite.

Is collecting allowed at Warsaw?+

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 Warsaw?+

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 Warsaw?+

The most comfortable months at Warsaw are February to December.

How do I get to Warsaw?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.18676, -93.38206 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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