Tightwad: Pyrite Rockhounding in Henry County, Missouri

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Henry County

State

Missouri

Coordinates

38.28767, -93.56436

Geology at Tightwad

This spot sits on Riverton Formation, Burgner Formation, mapped as shale, siltstone, and mudstone 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

Riverton Formation, Burgner Formation

Age

325–300 Ma (Pennsylvanian)

Rock types

shale, siltstone, and mudstone

Elevation

850 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 Tightwad

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 (8 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 Tightwad

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

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