Current River: Chert Nodules Rockhounding in Ripley County, Missouri

Quick details

Access

Public area

County

Ripley County

State

Missouri

Postcode

63935

Coordinates

36.62129, -90.84458

Geology at Current River

This spot sits on Roubidoux Formation, mapped as sandstone and chert that formed roughly 485 to 470 million years ago. Tough silica like agate, jasper, and chert typically weathers out of beds like these and collects as float in drainages and on deflation surfaces.

Mapped unit

Roubidoux Formation

Age

485–470 Ma (Early Ordovician)

Rock types

sandstone and chert

Elevation

330 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 Current River

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 46°F in winter to 89°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, DONIPHAN station (2 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 Current River

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

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