Beaver Bay — Rockhounding in Lake County, Minnesota
Updated July 2026
Beaver Bay sits on a stretch of North Shore where both Lake Superior agate and thomsonite wash into the beach gravel, a combination that has made it a long-standing favorite among Minnesota collectors. The surrounding basalt flows are part of the same billion-year-old rift volcanics that produced the state's agates and zeolites. Public shoreline access near the town lets collectors work the gravel after each storm. Reported finds include lake superior agate, thomsonite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Beaver Bay photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Beaver Bay in Lake County, Minnesota
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Lake County
- State
- Minnesota
- Nearest road
- Club Road
- Postcode
- 55601
- Coordinates
- 47.25733, -91.29577
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 Beaver Bay
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 Beaver Bay.
- Gull RockLake County, Minnesota · 4 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- Little Marais RiverLake County, Minnesota · 14 mi awayThomsonite, Zeolite
- Kelsey BeachTop pick in MinnesotaLake County, Minnesota · 21 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- Knife River beachesTop pick in MinnesotaLake County, Minnesota · 31 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- French RiverSaint Louis County, Minnesota · 38 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- Thomsonite BeachCook County, Minnesota · 51 mi awayChlorastrolite, Lintonite, Thomsonite Nodules
- ElyTop pick in MinnesotaSaint Louis County, Minnesota · 52 mi awayJasper, Quartz, Chalcedony
- WintonSaint Louis County, Minnesota · 52 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Evergreen Jasper
Across the state line from Beaver Bay
Beaver Bay 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.
- Big Bay Town ParkTop pick in WisconsinAshland County, Wisconsin · 45 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Thomsonite
- Bayfield CountyTop pick in WisconsinBayfield County, Wisconsin · 48 mi awayAgate, Jasper
- Wisconsin PointTop pick in WisconsinDouglas County, Wisconsin · 51 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Copper
- AnniconDouglas County, Wisconsin · 53 mi awayCopper
- Saxon Harbor County ParkTop pick in WisconsinIron County, Wisconsin · 63 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Copper
- General AreaAshland County, Wisconsin · 66 mi awayCopper
Beaver Bay FAQ
Why is Beaver Bay one of the best rockhounding spots in Minnesota?+
Where is Beaver Bay?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Beaver Bay?+
Is collecting allowed at Beaver Bay?+
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More rockhounding in Minnesota
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