Rockhound Locations in Wisconsin

Rockhounding Locations in Wisconsin

Due to the state’s diversity in minerals, rocks, gems, and crystals, Wisconsin is among the best rock-hounding locations to explore. There are plenty of rockhound locations where collectors can satisfy their hunger.

The best locations are in the state’s northwestern, northeastern, southwestern, and southeastern portions. These regions are home to various specimens that can be collected for free, and some of them require a small fee. Before we dig into the locations, let’s talk about some of the treasures one might find.

If you’re an active rock collector in Wisconsin then send us an email about your favorite locations and we will feature you on the site and we might sponsor you as well. That’s right, we will pay you to go dig for rocks and minerals.

Wisconsin Agate Map

Wisconsin is home to several interesting rocks worth collecting, including Geodes, Petoskey stones, Obsidian, Jasper, Agates, Yooperlites, Limestone, Quartzite, Moonstones, Unakite, Catlinite, Plagioclase, and much more. Typically, the best areas to find these rock varieties are near beaches and lakes.

Wisconsin Gemstone Map

Wisconsin is rich in a variety of minerals and crystals. Honestly, there are so many that you might become bored if we listed them all here. That said, let’s take a peek at a few of the popular minerals in the state.

The list of crystals in Wisconsin includes Quartz crystals, Calcite crystals, Triphylite, Zinnwaldite, Elbaite, Cuprite, Sphalerite, Kyanite crystals, Tetrahedrite, Selenite crystals, Millerite crystals, among many more.

The minerals found in Wisconsin include Gold, Jasper, Copper, Barite, Bornite, Azurite, Chlorite, Diopside, Epidote, Pyrite, Malachite, Silver, Hornblende, Almandite, Beryl, Calcite, Kyanite, Dolomite, Calcite, Galena, Siderite, Muscovite, Biotite, Chalcopyrite, Albite, and the list goes on.

Rockhound Locations in Southeastern Wisconsin

Some of the best sites for rockhounding in Wisconsin include Big Falls Park, Ounce Creek, Iron County, Jackson County, Highway 182, Outagamie County, Eastbrook Park, Saukville, Hazel Green, Racine, Werlet, Platteville, Dodgeville, Cobb & Mifflin, and Oshkosh. Of course, there are many others.

Let’s look at some of these incredible rockhound locations without further ado to see what we can dig up.

Oshkosh

There’s a little city called Oshkosh in Winnebago County, southeastern Wisconsin. You’ll want to head towards the Lutz Quarry. This location provides the potential to find Pyrite, Calcite, Marcasite, Galena, Sphalerite, various fossils, and maybe even Sphalerite crystals.

Dodgeville

Southwestern Wisconsin is home to various areas similar to this location, including Platteville, Werley, and Cobb & Mifflin. You can find crystals, minerals, and fossils if you hunt around these areas.

The area mines and quarries near Dodgeville are excellent for hounds to explore. They’re prime locations for finding Smithsonite, Sphalerite, Marcasite, Pyrite, Galena, Barite, and Calcite.

Jackson County

Jackson County is located in the northwestern region of Wisconsin and is an excellent location for gem hunters. Once you make it here, you’ll want to head to the Iron Mine dumps. There you can find Biotite Schist. You can also find a variety of minerals, including Magnetite, Sillimanite, Actinolite, Andalusite, Almandine, Biotite, and Kyanite.

Racine

The quarries near Racine (in southeastern Wisconsin) are perfect for gem hunters. There, you might find a variety of gem crystals, Calcite crystals, fossils, and Marcasite crystals.

Rockhound Locations in Northern Wisconsin

Northern Wisconsin contains the most abundant diversity of crystals, minerals, and fossils hunters can find. This region is where most of the prime rockhounding locations are found, like Montreal Mine, The Bend Deposit, Dresser Trap Rock Quarry, Ounce Creek, and Jennings Falls.

Montreal Mine

Let’s look towards Iron County, located in northwestern Wisconsin. Here you’ll find the city of Montreal, and not far from it lies the Montreal Mine. The mine is home to various minerals and crystals waiting to be discovered.

These incredible specimens include Quartz, Calcite, Goethite, Celestine, Selenite, Hematite, Dolomite, Marcasite, Braunite, Pyrite, Dickite, Barite, Actinolite, Talc, and much more.

The Bend Deposit

Located in Taylor County, in northwestern Wisconsin, is the Bend Deposit. It’s another prime location for hounds to explore. Here, you can find Tetrahedrite, Pyrite, Gold, Calaverite, Chalcopyrite, Malachite, Bornite, Krennerite, and Azurite minerals.

Dresser Trap Rock Quarry

The Dresser Trap Rock Quarry calls northwestern Wisconsin home, and it’s an excellent location for gem hunters to roam.

The mine holds numerous specimens, including Quartz, Zoisite, Copper, Plagioclase, Epidote, Magnetite, Chrysotile, Calcite, Cuprite, Augite, Cholrite, Bornite, Actinolite, Chalcopyrite, and various other crystals and minerals.

Jennings Falls

This site is actually just southeast of Jennings Falls trailhead. Hunters can find various crystals, gemstones, and minerals. A handful of the different specimens include Muscovite, Triphylite, Beryl, Elbaite, Albite, Columbite-tantalite, and Microcline. The good news is that these specimens are easily unearthed.

Wisconsin Crystal Map

Best Rockhounding Beaches in Wisconsin

Some of the best rockhounding beaches in Wisconsin are connected to Lake Michigan. Among them are Sandy Beach, Big Bay Beach, North Beach Racine, Schoolhouse Beach, Two Rivers, Simons Island Beach, Devil’s Lake State Park Beach, and Point Beach State Forest, to name a few.

There are several interesting specimens that one can find at these locations, including Agates, Pearls in mussels, Lake Superior Agate, fossils, Jasper, and various remarkable rocks, like Petoskey stones, Yooperlites, and Quartzite in multiple colors. Oh, let’s not forget the beautiful beach glass.

You can find beautiful pieces of beach glass of various colors, shapes, and qualities. Some of the best areas to search for beach glass are near the city of Milwaukee, Grant Park Beach, Simmons Island Beach, Wisconsin Point, and along Lake Michigan’s shore, among others.

If you’re a fan of fossils, you should know that there are various marine fossils, including shark teeth, in Wisconsin. Some of the best areas to find fine specimens are situated in Brown County, Crawford County, Dane County, Dodge County, Fond du Lac County, Grant County, Iowa County, and Lafayette County.

Needless to say, Wisconsin is an excellent place to dig in. Happy hunting!