Best spot

Little Falls: Lake Superior Agate & Garnet Rockhounding in Morrison County, Minnesota

Updated July 2026

The Mississippi River gravels around Little Falls carry Lake Superior agate along with staurolite, the twinned fairy cross crystals that made the area locally famous. The best-known staurolite ground is the shoreline below Blanchard Dam south of town, one of the few places in the world where the crosses can be surface-collected. Morrison County's glacial gravel pits also produce agate, quartz, and jasper. Reported finds include lake superior agate, garnet, staurolite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Little Falls photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Blanchard Dam on the Mississippi River south of Little Falls, Morrison County, Minnesota

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Morrison County
State: Minnesota
Nearest road: 180th Street
Postcode: 56345
Coordinates: 46.01957, -94.38914

Geology at Little Falls

This spot sits on Little Falls Formation, mapped as schist and slate that formed roughly 2500 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: Little Falls Formation
Age: 2500–1600 Ma (Paleoproterozoic)
Rock types: schist and slate
Elevation: 1,140 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 Little Falls

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 85°F in midsummer and 24°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 3°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LITTLE FALLS 2NNE station (2 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 Little Falls

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 Little Falls.

Little Falls FAQ

Where is Little Falls?+

Little Falls is in Morrison County, Minnesota, at 46.01957, -94.38914. Nearest road: 180th Street.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Little Falls?+

Little Falls is reported to produce Lake Superior Agate, Garnet, Staurolite.

Is collecting allowed at Little Falls?+

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 Little Falls?+

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 Little Falls?+

The most comfortable months at Little Falls are April to October.

How do I get to Little Falls?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.01957, -94.38914 in Google Maps. The nearest road is 180th Street.

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