Carlton: Lake Superior Agate & Garnet Rockhounding in Carlton County, Minnesota

Updated June 2026

Carlton is a mapped rockhounding spot in Carlton County, Minnesota. Reported finds include lake superior agate, garnet, greenalite, magnetite, marcasite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Carlton County
State: Minnesota
Nearest road: Chestnut Avenue
Postcode: 55718
Coordinates: 46.66401, -92.42486

Geology at Carlton

This spot sits on Slate and graywacke, mapped as slate and graywacke that formed roughly 2050 to 1600 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this weathers into resistant float, and minerals that survive transport typically concentrate in nearby drainages.

Mapped unit: Slate and graywacke
Age: 2050–1600 Ma (Paleoproterozoic)
Rock types: slate and graywacke
Elevation: 1,080 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 Carlton

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 19°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 2°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CLOQUET station (5 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 Carlton

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 Carlton.

Across the state line from Carlton

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

Carlton FAQ

Where is Carlton?+

Carlton is in Carlton County, Minnesota, at 46.66401, -92.42486. Nearest road: Chestnut Avenue.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Carlton?+

Carlton is reported to produce Lake Superior Agate, Garnet, Greenalite, Magnetite, Marcasite, Minnesotaite, Pyrite.

Is collecting allowed at Carlton?+

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 Carlton?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Carlton?+

The most comfortable months at Carlton are April to October.

How do I get to Carlton?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.66401, -92.42486 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Chestnut Avenue.

More rockhounding in Minnesota

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Open Carlton on the map

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