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Gentry County: Fossil Hunting in Gentry County, Missouri

Updated June 2026

Gentry County in far northwestern Missouri lies squarely in glacial-drift country, where ice-rafted Lake Superior agates, jasper, and petrified wood are scattered through till and reworked into the area's stream gravels. It is one of the recognized northwest Missouri counties for agate hunting, alongside Daviess, Grundy, and Livingston. The agates carry the classic red-and-white fortification banding of the Lake Superior type. Reported finds include lake superior agate, jasper, fossils, petrified wood. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Gentry County photos

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

1 photo

A polished Lake Superior agate with classic red and white fortification banding, the ice rafted agate type scattered through Gentry County glacial drift and reworked into its stream gravels.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Gentry County
State: Missouri
Coordinates: 40.20774, -94.37543

Geology at Gentry County

This spot sits on Kansas City Group, mapped as limestone and shale that formed roughly 325 to 300 million years ago. Limestone like this typically forms in ancient seas, so marine fossils such as brachiopods, corals, and crinoids tend to weather out of fresh exposures.

Mapped unit: Kansas City Group
Age: 325–300 Ma (Pennsylvanian)
Rock types: limestone and shale
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 Gentry County

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 35°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 15°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ALBANY station (4 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 Gentry County

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 Gentry County.

Across the state line from Gentry County

Gentry County is close enough to the Missouri border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Gentry County FAQ

Where is Gentry County?+

Gentry County is in Gentry County, Missouri, at 40.20774, -94.37543.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Gentry County?+

Gentry County is reported to produce Lake Superior Agate, Jasper, Fossils, Petrified Wood.

Is collecting allowed at Gentry County?+

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 Gentry County?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Gentry County?+

The most comfortable months at Gentry County are March to November.

How do I get to Gentry County?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 40.20774, -94.37543 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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