Olmsted County: Gold Prospecting in Olmsted County, Minnesota

Updated June 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Olmsted County
State: Minnesota
Nearest road: 19th Street Southeast
Postcode: 55904
Coordinates: 43.99797, -92.38890

Geology at Olmsted County

This spot sits on Middle and Upper Ordovician, mapped as shale, limestone, and sandstone that formed roughly 470 to 445 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this dissolves and weathers readily, so fresh road cuts, quarries, and creek exposures are typically the most productive ground.

Mapped unit: Middle and Upper Ordovician
Age: 470–445 Ma (Middle Ordovician to Late Ordovician)
Rock types: shale, limestone, and sandstone
Elevation: 1,060 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 Olmsted County

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 81°F in midsummer and 23°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 8°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ROCHESTER INTL AP station (8 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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 Olmsted County

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

Gold Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Olmsted County.

Across the state line from Olmsted County

Olmsted County 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.

Olmsted County FAQ

Where is Olmsted County?+

Olmsted County is in Olmsted County, Minnesota, at 43.99797, -92.38890. Nearest road: 19th Street Southeast.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Olmsted County?+

Olmsted County is reported to produce Gold.

Is collecting allowed at Olmsted County?+

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 Olmsted County?+

A gold pan, a classifier screen, a small shovel, and a snuffer bottle cover the basics. Motorized equipment and sluices fall under separate rules in most states, so start with hand tools.

When is the best time to visit Olmsted County?+

The most comfortable months at Olmsted County are April to October.

How do I get to Olmsted County?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 43.99797, -92.38890 in Google Maps. The nearest road is 19th Street Southeast.

More rockhounding in Minnesota

See all 49 Minnesota spots →

Open Olmsted County on the map

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