Caledonia: Calcite Rockhounding in Houston County, Minnesota

Updated June 2026

Caledonia is a mapped rockhounding spot in Houston County, Minnesota. Reported finds include calcite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Houston County
State: Minnesota
Nearest road: Old 44 Road
Postcode: 55921
Coordinates: 43.62222, -91.52480

Geology at Caledonia

This spot sits on St. Peter Sandstone, mapped as sandstone fine to medium grained that formed roughly 470 to 445 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: St. Peter Sandstone
Age: 470–445 Ma (Middle Ordovician to Late Ordovician)
Rock types: sandstone fine to medium grained
Elevation: 1,200 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 Caledonia

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 24°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 7°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CALEDONIA station (1 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 Caledonia

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

Calcite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Caledonia.

Across the state line from Caledonia

Caledonia 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.

Caledonia FAQ

Where is Caledonia?+

Caledonia is in Houston County, Minnesota, at 43.62222, -91.52480. Nearest road: Old 44 Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Caledonia?+

Caledonia is reported to produce Calcite.

Is collecting allowed at Caledonia?+

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 Caledonia?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Caledonia?+

The most comfortable months at Caledonia are April to October.

How do I get to Caledonia?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.62222, -91.52480 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Old 44 Road.

More rockhounding in Minnesota

See all 49 Minnesota spots →

Open Caledonia on the map

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