Crooked Creek Crater: Barite & Galena Rockhounding in Crawford County, Missouri

Updated June 2026

Crooked Creek Crater is a mapped rockhounding spot in Crawford County, Missouri. Reported finds include barite, galena, marcasite, pyrite, sphalerite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Crawford County
State: Missouri
Nearest road: Cedar Drive
Postcode: 65586
Coordinates: 37.83297, -91.41131

Geology at Crooked Creek Crater

This spot sits on Roubidoux Formation, mapped as sandstone and chert that formed roughly 485 to 470 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: Roubidoux Formation
Age: 485–470 Ma (Early Ordovician)
Rock types: sandstone and chert
Elevation: 1,070 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 Crooked Creek Crater

Best months: February to November. Typical highs run 86°F in midsummer and 40°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 17°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, STEELVILLE 2 N station (12 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 Crooked Creek Crater

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 Crooked Creek Crater.

Crooked Creek Crater FAQ

Where is Crooked Creek Crater?+

Crooked Creek Crater is in Crawford County, Missouri, at 37.83297, -91.41131. Nearest road: Cedar Drive.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Crooked Creek Crater?+

Crooked Creek Crater is reported to produce Barite, Galena, Marcasite, Pyrite, Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at Crooked Creek Crater?+

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 Crooked Creek Crater?+

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 Crooked Creek Crater?+

The most comfortable months at Crooked Creek Crater are February to November.

How do I get to Crooked Creek Crater?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.83297, -91.41131 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Cedar Drive.

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Open Crooked Creek Crater on the map

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