Saverton: Pyrite Rockhounding in Ralls County, Missouri

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Ralls County

State

Missouri

Nearest road

MO 79

Postcode

63401

Coordinates

39.64511, -91.28884

Geology at Saverton

This spot sits on ground mapped as limestone and siltstone that formed roughly 360 to 325 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this is the classic host for lead, zinc, and fluorite mineralization, which typically follows old cavities and replacement zones.

Age

360–325 Ma (Mississippian)

Rock types

limestone and siltstone

Elevation

740 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 Saverton

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 36°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SAVERTON L&D 22 station (2 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 Saverton

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

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