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Wisconsin is known for many things, including breathtaking landscapes and fun festivals, but did you know that it’s one of the best states for rockhounding? If you want to collect precious minerals, rocks, and gems from the Badger State, explore the information provided in this article.
During your Wisconsin travels, some common rocks and minerals you might collect are:
- agate,
- jasper,
- yooperlite,
- geode,
- fossils,
- malachite,
- staurolite,
- sphalerite,
- calcite,
- kyanite,
- galena,
- and quartz.
Whether you want to collect diamonds or sapphires from Wisconsin, you’ll need as much rockhounding information and knowledge as you can find to ensure a successful trip. To help during your adventures in the Badger State, we’ve created this guide filled with information about rockhounding in Wisconsin.
If you are interested in checking out the best rockhounding tools you can find them by clicking here (Amazon link).
What Rocks Are Found in Wisconsin
Starting off with the rocks, let’s see what kind of stones you can collect in Wisconsin:
Agate
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Saxon Harbor Beach | 46.562084, -90.437304 |
| Sawyer County | 45.869512, -91.249032 |
| Durand | 44.625171, -91.972144 |
| Ounce River | 46.201544, -91.607252 |
| Chippewa County | 45.072642, -91.299890 |
| La Crosse County | 43.932985, -91.175926 |
You can’t write about Wisconsin’s rockhounding opportunities without mentioning Lake Superior Agates. Lake Superior Agates, known for their bright colors and eye-catching patterns, are typically found near Lake Superior and the surrounding states, including Wisconsin.
You can also collect banded agates from this state, which might not be as popular as Lake Superior agates, but they are still wonderful finds.
Saxon Harbor Beach, La Crosse County, and Chippewa County are a few places to go if you’re looking for Lake Superior Agates. There are plenty of other places where you can find this type of agate as well, especially if you look near Lake Superior.
TIP: The most famous rock that many collectors wish to find on Lake Superior is the Lake Superior Agates. Check out the complete guide on rockhounding on lake Superior below:
Guide: The Best Rock Hunting Beaches on Lake Superior
Jasper
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Ashland County | 46.524314, -90.668878 |
| Black River | 46.561334, -92.147907 |
| Bayfield County | 46.806991, -91.063964 |
| Owen | 44.945250, -90.566405 |
| Iron County | 46.194288, -90.191010 |
| Sawyer County | 45.881941, -91.308083 |
In addition to colorful agates, Wisconsin is also home to colorful jaspers. Wisconsin jaspers are usually red or orange with white chalcedony, which makes lovely patterns. These rocks are often picked up alongside agates in this state, so be sure to look out for them!
You can look for jaspers in Ashland County, Bayfield County, and Iron County. Be sure to look for jaspers when you’re searching near the agate locations listed above as well.
Yooperlite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Lake Superior | 46.848383, -91.031427 |
| Lake Michigan | 44.438447, -87.557536 |
| Ashland County | 46.580978, -90.690851 |
| Oconto County | 44.965479, -88.008832 |
| Douglas County | 46.679067, -91.572139 |
| Racine County | 42.808295, -88.184012 |
Without a doubt, yooperlites are some of the most amazing rocks that you are able to find in Wisconsin because they glow!
When exposed to UV light, these gray rocks emit a beautiful glow, making them a popular treasure among rockhounds. The majority of these rocks are found near Lake Superior, and there are a few areas in Wisconsin where you can collect them.
Most of the yooperlites exist on or near the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, but some rockhounds find these stones inland, scattered in gravel beds or creeks.
Recommendation box: All tools and equipment you need for rockhounding and rock identification* (Amazon links):
1. Estwing Rock Hammer – Light, comfortable, and extremely durable hammer.
2. Estwing Geologist Pick – Classic and the most trusted paleo pick in the world.
3. Finder 12-inch Chisels – Heavy-duty chisels set with hand protection.
4. Mini Handle Shovel – This is a great tool for digging deep in the dirt.
5 Ironclad Utility Work Gloves – Breathable, but they also protect the areas requiring them most.
6. 3M Safety Glasses – Comfortable and efficient goggles for rockhounding.
7. Convoy 8+ UV Light – 365nm UV LED flashlight with a patented glass filter.
8. Wesley’s Jewelers Loupe – High magnification options (30X and 60X) with carrying case.
9. Mohs Hardness Kit – A specially designed kit for rockhounds
*All recommended products are personally tested and regularly used by experts from this website.
Geode
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Estabrook Park | 43.098323, -87.905868 |
| Pepin County | 44.475849, -92.205746 |
| Fairweather Quarry | 44.501321, -92.263424 |
| Milwaukee County | 43.013864, -87.902085 |
| Big Hill Road | 44.478938, -92.095227 |
If you want to add a few geodes to your collection, you’ll be able to do so in Wisconsin. This state isn’t famous for its geodes, but it does have collectible ones, and they are typically filled with chalcedony, drusy quartz, or millerite.
Check out Estabrook Park, Pepin County, and Milwaukee County for Wisconsin geodes.
Fossils
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Mississippi River | 43.771945, -91.236941 |
| Brown County | 44.581038, -87.885893 |
| Racine | 42.711806, -87.785572 |
| Dodgeville | 42.957144, -90.122367 |
| Oshkosh | 43.997550, -88.539879 |
In the Badger State, marine fossils are the most common type of fossils that you’ll see. The state fossil of Wisconsin is the Calymene Celebra, a type of trilobite that lived hundreds of millions of years ago.
Visit Oshkosh, Brown County, and the bluffs along the Mississippi River for trilobites, shark teeth, and other marine fossils in Wisconsin.
TIP: Some folks like fossils just as they are, but others prefer a polished look. Check out the complete guide on making your fossils shiny in the article below:
Make Your Fossils Shiny (Simple Clearing & Polishing Tips)
What Minerals Are Found in Wisconsin
It’s true that Wisconsin has some interesting rocks, but it also has plenty of collectible minerals, such as:
Malachite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Ounce Creek | 46.201306, -91.611715 |
| Forest County | 45.746447, -88.898863 |
| Grant County | 42.915794, -90.753146 |
| Rusk County | 45.511103, -91.046543 |
| Polk County | 45.458839, -92.377806 |
| The Bend Deposit | 45.111650, -90.586035 |
Wisconsin is abundant in copper, so as you might expect, there is plenty of malachite for rockhounds to collect. Wisconsin malachite is often discovered alongside azurite and pyrite, and you might see azurite and malachite blended together.
Ounce Creek, the Bend Deposit, and the counties listed above are known for their malachite. The areas near the copper mines are your best bet for high-quality malachite.
Staurolite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Merill | 45.174043, -89.712413 |
| Sandy Beach | 46.103588, -89.972066 |
| Highway 182 | 46.083444, -89.991548 |
| Jackson County | 44.294157, -90.772382 |
| Wisconsin River | 45.234769, -89.800763 |
Staurolite, also known as fairy cross, often appears in the schists of Wisconsin. While it’s not as abundant as malachite, it does show up in multiple areas of the state.
Merill, Sandy Beach, and the Wisconsin River are some of the best places to go in Wisconsin for staurolite.
TIP: Lake Michigan is one of the world’s top lakes for rockhounding. Check out the best rockhounding spots on lake Michigan in the article below:
Guide: Best Rock Hunting Beaches on Lake Michigan
Sphalerite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Dodgeville | 42.957018, -90.124255 |
| Hazel Green | 42.536522, -90.428492 |
| Werley | 43.018865, -90.765147 |
| Mifflin Mine | 42.883971, -90.386427 |
| Oshkosh | 44.014836, -88.525116 |
Sphalerite is scattered all throughout Wisconsin, but the majority of it comes from the southwest regions. Alongside sphalerite, you might find pyrite, galena, and barite, all of which are associated with copper deposits.
Swing by Dodgeville, Hazel Green, and Werley for sphalerite from the Badger State. Oshkosh is also a popular destination for this mineral.
Calcite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Saxon Falls | 46.535644, -90.379624 |
| Oshkosh | 44.014836, -88.525116 |
| Dodgeville | 42.955259, -90.120135 |
| Werley | 43.019116, -90.765190 |
| Hazel Green | 42.536965, -90.431067 |
| Racine | 42.715590, -87.782825 |
Wisconsin calcite is usually white, but it can appear in other colors, including pink or yellow. Dogtooth calcite also exists in this state, and it’s known for its unique, teeth-like crystal formations.
These crystals are almost always surrounded by all kinds of other minerals, such as barite, galena, sphalerite, and marcasite.
Look for calcite crystals in Saxon Falls, Oshkosh, and Racine. Be sure to keep an eye out for other minerals as well since calcite is often surrounded by more than one collectible mineral!
TIP: Calcite occurs in numerous colored and crystal habit varieties, ranging from $3 to $25,000 for a specimen. Find out more about calcite value in the article below:
Calcite Value: Main Factors & Prices for Different Units
Kyanite
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Iron County | 46.304448, -90.287141 |
| Sandy Beach | 46.103826, -89.972538 |
| Blaisdell Lake | 45.940736, -90.889929 |
| Spider Lake | 46.096572, -91.121380 |
| Highway 182 | 46.083444, -89.991548 |
| Mercer | 46.156684, -90.067306 |
While you might not be able to find kyanite in some areas of Wisconsin, rockhounds are successful in finding this mineral when they search in the northwestern areas of the state. Gem-quality kyanite is on the rarer side, but it does exist in the Badger State.
In Wisconsin, you can find kyanite in Iron County, Mercer, Spider Lake, and Sandy Beach. Highway 182 gravels also contain kyanite and other minerals.
Galena
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Galena | 42.421999, -90.419045 |
| Oshkosh | 44.013354, -88.520653 |
| Werley | 43.018959, -90.765233 |
| Dodgeville | 42.969329, -90.135413 |
| Monroe | 42.597408, -89.658688 |
| Hazel Green | 42.536459, -90.439306 |
It’s no surprise that a state with copper has galena, and in Wisconsin, you’ll be able to collect galena with ease. As a matter of fact, galena was so abundant in one area of the state that they named a town Galena in its honor.
In addition to the town of Galena, rockhounds pick up galena from Oshkosh, Werley, Dodgeville, and Monroe.
Quartz
| Location | GPS Coordinates |
|---|---|
| Chippewa County | 45.090096, -91.277917 |
| Ounce Creek | 46.200118, -91.606565 |
| Farr Lake | 45.157688, -88.362377 |
| Rib Mountain | 44.912939, -89.676350 |
| Tigerton | 44.740544, -89.038579 |
| Pine River Reservoir | 45.832522, -88.263996 |
Clear quartz, rose quartz, and smoky quartz are common finds in Wisconsin, and you can collect some crystals of excellent quality in this state. Quartz can be found on its own or alongside many of the other common minerals that were mentioned in this article.
Chippewa County, Ounce Creek, and Farr Lake have some incredible quartz crystals that would look stunning in any rockhound’s collection.
TIP: From its diverse geological terrains dotted with active and abandoned mines, Wisconsin offers unique opportunities for gold prospecting. Find out more below:
Gold Prospecting in Wisconsin: 6 Best Locations & Laws
FAQ About Common Rocks & Minerals in Wisconsin
If you’re looking to collect diamonds, sapphires, and other rare gems, you’re in luck because Wisconsin has plenty of rare rocks and minerals:
What Rare Rocks Can You Find in Wisconsin
The most popular rare rocks that you can find in Wisconsin are Lake Superior:
- agates,
- jaspers,
- yooperlites,
- obsidians,
- geodes,
- fossils,
- sea glass,
- and petosky stones.
Lake Superior agates tend to receive the spotlight in this state, but yooperlites and petosky stones are also popular finds that are worth the effort to find.
The one rock on this list that might be more difficult to locate than the others is obsidian, due to the fact that the obsidian in this state is not native and comes in the form of tools, such as arrowheads and other items from Native Americans.
Because most of the rare rocks are strewn all over the state, there isn’t a single area where you can find each of these stones.
However, if you want to collect a large portion of the rocks on this list, then Lake Superior is your next destination.
BTW: Do you want to know more about rock and mineral identification? The books listed below are the best ones you can find on the internet (Amazon links):
- Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks & Minerals
- Gemstone & Crystal Properties (Quick Study Home)
- Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals (National Geographic Kids)
What Rare Minerals Can You Find in Wisconsin
One of the main reasons why rockhounds visit Wisconsin is to collect rare minerals, including pearls, diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and opals.
These precious gems are at the top of every Wisconsin rockhound’s list, and while they are not extremely abundant, they do turn up often in this state. If you plan on searching for one of these precious gems during your rockhounding expeditions, look for diamonds.
Diamonds are the most common precious stone in this state, so you have a higher chance of success if you search for this shiny gem.
To collect precious gems from Wisconsin, it’s best to stick to the southern areas. While the other areas of Wisconsin do have collectible rocks and minerals, the precious gems are only found in the southern regions.
What is the Most Famous Rock or Mineral Found in Wisconsin
While there are many amazing rocks and minerals in Wisconsin, the Lake Superior agate claims the title of the most famous and popular.
These colorful agates are stunning, known for their bright bands of red, orange, white, and gray, and they are often spotted along the shores of Lake Superior.
In addition, these agates are on the rarer side, making them even more desirable for rockhounds and collectors.
As you may have guessed, the best place to find Lake Superior Agates in Wisconsin is along the shores of Lake Superior. However, some of the agates do wash inland, so it’s best to keep an eye out during your entire trip in this state.
Conclusion
With Lake Superior agates, diamonds, sapphires, kyanites, yooperlites, and more, it’s no wonder that Wisconsin is a popular place for rockhounds.
Fortunately, collectible rocks and minerals exist all over the state, so no matter where you go, you’ll be able to pick up some rare and unique treasures.
During your next adventure in the Badger State, be sure to collect some of these fascinating rocks and minerals discussed in this guide!
TIP: There are many rockhounding spots in Wisconsin where you can find different kinds of rocks for free or a small fee. Check out the complete guide below:
Guide: Best Rock Hunting Sites & Beaches in Wisconsin