Rucker: Alunogen & Gypsum Rockhounding in Boone County, Missouri

Updated June 2026

Rucker is a mapped rockhounding spot in Boone County, Missouri. Reported finds include alunogen, gypsum. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Boone County
State: Missouri
Nearest road: West Thornhill Road
Postcode: 65243
Coordinates: 39.23123, -92.41801

Geology at Rucker

This spot sits on Cherokee Group - Cabaniss Subgroup, Krebs Subgroup, mapped as shale, sandstone, and siltstone that formed roughly 325 to 300 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Cherokee Group - Cabaniss Subgroup, Krebs Subgroup
Age: 325–300 Ma (Pennsylvanian)
Rock types: shale, sandstone, and siltstone
Elevation: 770 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 Rucker

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 87°F in midsummer and 37°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MOBERLY station (12 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 Rucker

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 Rucker.

Rucker FAQ

Where is Rucker?+

Rucker is in Boone County, Missouri, at 39.23123, -92.41801. Nearest road: West Thornhill Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Rucker?+

Rucker is reported to produce Alunogen, Gypsum.

Is collecting allowed at Rucker?+

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 Rucker?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Rucker?+

The most comfortable months at Rucker are March to November.

How do I get to Rucker?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.23123, -92.41801 in Google Maps. The nearest road is West Thornhill Road.

More rockhounding in Missouri

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Open Rucker on the map

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