Blue Earth: Lake Superior Agate Rockhounding in Faribault County, Minnesota

Updated June 2026

Blue Earth is a mapped rockhounding spot in Faribault County, Minnesota. Reported finds include lake superior agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Faribault County
State: Minnesota
Nearest road: East Fork Street
Postcode: 56013
Coordinates: 43.64024, -94.08400

Geology at Blue Earth

This spot sits on Upper Ordovician, mapped as limestone and dolostone that formed roughly 460 to 445 million years ago. Chert and agate nodules typically form inside carbonate rock like this and weather out as tough, waxy lumps in soils and creek beds.

Mapped unit: Upper Ordovician
Age: 460–445 Ma (Late Ordovician)
Rock types: limestone and dolostone
Elevation: 1,070 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 Blue Earth

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 23°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WINNEBAGO station (9 mi away).

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 Blue Earth

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Lake Superior Agate Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Blue Earth.

Across the state line from Blue Earth

Blue Earth 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.

Blue Earth FAQ

Where is Blue Earth?+

Blue Earth is in Faribault County, Minnesota, at 43.64024, -94.08400. Nearest road: East Fork Street.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Blue Earth?+

Blue Earth is reported to produce Lake Superior Agate.

Is collecting allowed at Blue Earth?+

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 Blue Earth?+

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 Blue Earth?+

The most comfortable months at Blue Earth are April to October.

How do I get to Blue Earth?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.64024, -94.08400 in Google Maps. The nearest road is East Fork Street.

More rockhounding in Minnesota

See all 49 Minnesota spots →

Open Blue Earth on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.