Kelsey Beach — Rockhounding in Lake County, Minnesota
Updated July 2026
Kelsey Beach, the public cobble beach at the Stewart River mouth a few miles north of Two Harbors, sits in the North Shore agate belt where wave-sorted gravel yields Lake Superior agate along with basalt and jasper from the billion-year-old rift lava flows. Like the rest of the shore, it produces best after storms wash fresh cobbles onto the beach. A small highway pull-off and short foot paths give straightforward public access away from the busier marquee stops. Reported finds include lake superior agate. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Kelsey Beach photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Kelsey Beach in Lake County, Minnesota
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Lake County
- State
- Minnesota
- Nearest road
- MN 61
- Coordinates
- 47.04802, -91.62964
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 Kelsey Beach
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 Kelsey Beach.
- Knife River beachesTop pick in MinnesotaLake County, Minnesota · 10 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- French RiverSaint Louis County, Minnesota · 16 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- Gull RockLake County, Minnesota · 18 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- Beaver BayTop pick in MinnesotaLake County, Minnesota · 21 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Thomsonite
- Little Marais RiverLake County, Minnesota · 35 mi awayThomsonite, Zeolite
- Cloquet (area 2)Carlton County, Minnesota · 45 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Garnet, Greenalite
- CloquetTop pick in MinnesotaCarlton County, Minnesota · 46 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Garnet, Greenalite
- CarltonCarlton County, Minnesota · 46 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Garnet, Greenalite
Across the state line from Kelsey Beach
Kelsey Beach 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.
- Wisconsin PointTop pick in WisconsinDouglas County, Wisconsin · 30 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Copper
- Bayfield CountyTop pick in WisconsinBayfield County, Wisconsin · 35 mi awayAgate, Jasper
- AnniconDouglas County, Wisconsin · 37 mi awayCopper
- Big Bay Town ParkTop pick in WisconsinAshland County, Wisconsin · 50 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Thomsonite
- Ounce CreekDouglas County, Wisconsin · 57 mi awayAgate, Azurite, Bornite
- General AreaAshland County, Wisconsin · 64 mi awayCopper
Kelsey Beach FAQ
Why is Kelsey Beach one of the best rockhounding spots in Minnesota?+
Where is Kelsey Beach?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Kelsey Beach?+
Is collecting allowed at Kelsey Beach?+
How do I get to Kelsey Beach?+
More rockhounding in Minnesota
See all 49 Minnesota spots →Open Kelsey Beach on the map
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