Pony Creek: Celestite Rockhounding in Brown County, Kansas

Updated June 2026

Pony Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Brown County, Kansas. Reported finds include celestite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Brown County
State: Kansas
Nearest road: Chickadee Road
Postcode: 66515
Coordinates: 39.95559, -95.73107

Geology at Pony Creek

This spot sits on Admire Group, mapped as shale that formed roughly 325 to 300 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Admire Group
Age: 325–300 Ma (Pennsylvanian)
Rock types: shale
Elevation: 1,030 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 Pony Creek

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 88°F in midsummer and 36°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 17°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, FALLS CITY BRENNER FLD station (11 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 Pony Creek

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

Celestite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Pony Creek.

Across the state line from Pony Creek

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

Pony Creek FAQ

Where is Pony Creek?+

Pony Creek is in Brown County, Kansas, at 39.95559, -95.73107. Nearest road: Chickadee Road.

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

Pony Creek is reported to produce Celestite.

Is collecting allowed at Pony 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 Pony 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 Pony Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Pony Creek are March to November.

How do I get to Pony Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 39.95559, -95.73107 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Chickadee Road.

More rockhounding in Kansas

See all 50 Kansas spots →

Open Pony Creek on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.