Barboursville: Ocher Rockhounding in Cabell County, West Virginia

Updated June 2026

Barboursville is a mapped rockhounding spot in Cabell County, West Virginia. Reported finds include ocher. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Cabell County
State: West Virginia
Nearest road: I 64
Postcode: 25504
Coordinates: 38.42172, -82.29875

Geology at Barboursville

This spot sits on Alluvium, mapped as fine alluvium and coarse alluvium that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Alluvium
Age: 3 Ma to present (Quaternary)
Rock types: fine alluvium and coarse alluvium
Elevation: 550 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 Barboursville

Best months: February to December. Typical highs run 89°F in midsummer and 44°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 27°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PEA RIDGE PSD station (0 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 Barboursville

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

Ocher

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Barboursville.

Across the state line from Barboursville

Barboursville is close enough to the West Virginia border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Barboursville FAQ

Where is Barboursville?+

Barboursville is in Cabell County, West Virginia, at 38.42172, -82.29875. Nearest road: I 64.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Barboursville?+

Barboursville is reported to produce Ocher.

Is collecting allowed at Barboursville?+

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 Barboursville?+

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 Barboursville?+

The most comfortable months at Barboursville are February to December.

How do I get to Barboursville?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 38.42172, -82.29875 in Google Maps. The nearest road is I 64.

More rockhounding in West Virginia

See all 34 West Virginia spots →

Open Barboursville on the map

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