Are you looking for places to collect rocks, crystals, and fossils in Mississippi?
Here are eleven places to get started rockhounding in Mississippi.
Rockhounding Mississippi
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. Laws are updated. Accessibility guidelines and restrictions change. Be sure to confirm the land status and collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material.
1. Adams County
Adams County is located southwestern part of Mississippi, close to the border of Louisiana. The county is known for its deep traditions and rich history. It was the first county to be organized after purchasing the Mississippi Territory in 1789.
But, the abundance of banded agate is the most special thing about Adams County, Mississippi. It is also known as layered agate. It is formed by layers of silica deposited inside volcanic vesicles.
Off of Highway US 84, near Roxie city, is the best place in the county to go rockhounding. There you can also find chlorapatite, merrillite, spinel, and troilite.
2. Bell Creek
North of Kimball Creek and southwest of Desert Creek is a smaller stream known as Bell Creek. It is located in Wilkinson County, and many people enjoy fishing in the creek.
But, what many people don’t know is, that this spot is a great place to go rockhounding. There you can find agate, fulgurites, and petrified wood. Some people have even found basilosaurus and zygorrhiza fossils there.
3. Holly Springs National Forest
One of the most popular destinations to visit in Mississippi is the Holly Springs National Forest. It is located in the north-central part and displays the state’s natural beauty. Also, this is a favorite place for many to go rockhounding.
The park covers 155,000 acres of land and goes through Lafayette, Benton, Marshall, Union, Tippah, and Yalobusha counties. If you want to stay there for a while, plenty of campsites allow you to spend a few days exploring the park.
A favorite trail many people enjoy hiking on is the Baker’s Pond Trail. It is near the city of Falkner and takes about 30 minutes to travel. It is open all year round and allows you to find spots you want to go digging for rocks, crystals, and other minerals.
Some minerals you can find in this area include petrified wood, agate, chalcedony, and amber. You may also be able to find shark teeth fossils and prehistoric fossils.
4. Luka
Luka, Mississippi, is located in Tishomingo county. It is a small town with a population of 3,028. Just south of the city is the Woodall Mountain, and this is the spot you want to go digging for rocks, crystals, and other minerals.
There is an extensive deposit of red and yellow ocher. You may also find agates, dimension stone, limestone, and silica.
5. Tishomingo State Park
Another popular public recreation spot is the Tishomingo State Park. It’s 45-mile drive northeast of Tupelo, Mississippi; this state park lies in the Appalachian foothills. There are sandstone outcroppings along Bear Creek Canyon that make the park unique.
There is a day-use fee of $4.00 per person and an extra $0.50 if the group is over six people. You can find agate, petrified wood, amber, and different prehistoric fossils in the area.
6. Paden
Paden, Mississippi, is a small village located in Tishomingo County. The village has a population of 116, and it can be easy to miss the village when driving through it.
But, you might not want to do this as it holds the outcrops of the Tuscaloosa formation. These formations preserve prehistoric fossils dating back from the Cretaceous periods.
So, you may be able to find some neat dinosaur fossils from this time period. You can also find an abundance of amber minerals within this area.
7. Mississippi River
Of course, this list must include the famous Mississippi River! It is the second largest river in the United States and has a rich transportation history dating back to the 19th century.
The river passes through ten states and offers many spots for you to rockhounding. In Mississippi state, you can find an abundance of agates, petrified woods, shark teeth fossils, and prehistoric fossils.
When the river is high, and currents are fast, it’s best not to rock collecting in the area for your safety. The best time to go is in the spring and summer seasons.
8. Tombigbee River
The Tombigbee river starts in the northeastern part of Mississippi and flows through Amory city. It is a tributary of the Mobile River and is 200 miles long.
Throughout the banks of the river, you can find petrified wood, shark teeth fossils, and prehistoric fossils. Although, it’s essential for you to keep your eyes open for alligators.
There have been a few stories of alligators living in this river. If you happen to see one, it’s vital for you to leave the area for your safety.
9. Waynesboro
Waynesboro, Mississippi, is a small town with a population of 5,043. There are a few creeks in the city where you can go rockhounding. These creeks are Mill Creek, Patton Creek, and Maynor Creek.
Maynor Creek is a favorite for the locals and has camping grounds in the area. Within the gravels and banks of these creeks, you can find petrified palm wood and different kinds of fossils.
10. Wesson
Another small city for you to rockhounding is Wesson, Mississippi. It has a population of 1,925 and is a part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.
There are several creeks here you can go exploring. These creeks include Sweetwater Creek, Clear Creek, Kees Creek, and Turkey Creek. You can find banded agate, chalcedony, and petrified wood within these creeks.
11. WM Browning Fossil Park
The W.M. Browning Fossil park is a small area located in the northeastern part of Mississippi. There you can go digging looking for fossils dating back from the Cretaceous period.
The park is located along Twenty Mile Creek off the intersection of U.S. Route 45 and 7450 roads in Baldwyn, Mississippi. People have found sharks, oysters, crocodiles, turtles, and dinosaurs fossils. You can also find petrified wood in the area.
Wrapping Up
These are some good ideas for places to get started rockhounding in the state of Mississippi.
The state may not be the best place to go rock hounding for crystals, but you can find some neat dinosaur fossils dating back 75 million years ago. How cool is that!
If you want to find other places to go rockhounding in the state, be sure to look around on the blog.
