Captain Creek: Actinolite & Epidote Rockhounding in Madison County, Missouri

Updated June 2026

Captain Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Madison County, Missouri. Reported finds include actinolite, epidote. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Madison County
State: Missouri
Nearest road: Madison 425
Postcode: 63645
Coordinates: 37.44211, -90.44801

Geology at Captain Creek

This spot sits on St. Francois mountains volcanic supergroup, mapped as rhyolite that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this weathers into rocky slopes and float, and fresh exposures in cuts and drainages are usually the most productive places to look.

Mapped unit: St. Francois mountains volcanic supergroup
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: rhyolite
Elevation: 570 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 Captain Creek

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 42°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 21°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, FREDERICKTOWN station (11 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 Captain Creek

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 Captain Creek.

Across the state line from Captain Creek

Captain Creek 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.

Captain Creek FAQ

Where is Captain Creek?+

Captain Creek is in Madison County, Missouri, at 37.44211, -90.44801. Nearest road: Madison 425.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Captain Creek?+

Captain Creek is reported to produce Actinolite, Epidote.

Is collecting allowed at Captain Creek?+

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 Captain Creek?+

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 Captain Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Captain Creek are February to December.

How do I get to Captain Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.44211, -90.44801 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Madison 425.

More rockhounding in Missouri

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Open Captain Creek on the map

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