Decaturville Crater: Albite & Galena Rockhounding in Laclede County, Missouri

Updated June 2026

Decaturville Crater is a mapped rockhounding spot in Laclede County, Missouri. Reported finds include albite, galena, glauconite, limonite, marcasite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Laclede County
State: Missouri
Nearest road: Lilac Rd
Coordinates: 37.89299, -92.70848

Geology at Decaturville Crater

This spot sits on Gasconade Dolomite, mapped as dolostone that formed roughly 485 to 470 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.

Mapped unit: Gasconade Dolomite
Age: 485–470 Ma (Early Ordovician)
Rock types: dolostone
Elevation: 1,090 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 Decaturville Crater

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, LEBANON 2W station (14 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 Decaturville Crater

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 Decaturville Crater.

Decaturville Crater FAQ

Where is Decaturville Crater?+

Decaturville Crater is in Laclede County, Missouri, at 37.89299, -92.70848. Nearest road: Lilac Rd.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Decaturville Crater?+

Decaturville Crater is reported to produce Albite, Galena, Glauconite, Limonite, Marcasite, Microcline, Muscovite, Opal, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Sphalerite, Tourmaline.

Is collecting allowed at Decaturville Crater?+

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 Decaturville Crater?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Decaturville Crater?+

The most comfortable months at Decaturville Crater are February to December.

How do I get to Decaturville Crater?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 37.89299, -92.70848 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Lilac Rd.

More rockhounding in Missouri

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Open Decaturville Crater on the map

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