St. Francois County: Barite & Goethite Rockhounding in Saint Francois County, Missouri

Updated June 2026

St. Francois County is a mapped rockhounding spot in Saint Francois County, Missouri. Reported finds include barite, goethite, pyrite, quartz, cerussite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Saint Francois County
State: Missouri
Nearest road: Hawthorne Street
Postcode: 63628
Coordinates: 37.89476, -90.52614

Geology at St. Francois County

This spot sits on Elvins Group - (including Derby-Doerun Dolomite, Davis Formation), Bonneterre Dolomite, mapped as dolostone, shale, and siltstone that formed roughly 495 to 485 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit: Elvins Group - (including Derby-Doerun Dolomite, Davis Formation), Bonneterre Dolomite
Age: 495–485 Ma (Furongian)
Rock types: dolostone, shale, and siltstone
Elevation: 720 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 St. Francois County

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 43°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 23°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, FARMINGTON station (10 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 St. Francois 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 St. Francois County.

Across the state line from St. Francois County

St. Francois 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.

St. Francois County FAQ

Where is St. Francois County?+

St. Francois County is in Saint Francois County, Missouri, at 37.89476, -90.52614. Nearest road: Hawthorne Street.

What rocks and minerals can you find at St. Francois County?+

St. Francois County is reported to produce Barite, Goethite, Pyrite, Quartz, Cerussite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, Malachite, Sphalerite, Smithsonite.

Is collecting allowed at St. Francois 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 St. Francois County?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit St. Francois County?+

The most comfortable months at St. Francois County are February to December.

How do I get to St. Francois County?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.89476, -90.52614 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Hawthorne Street.

More rockhounding in Missouri

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Open St. Francois County on the map

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