Best spot

Ely: Jasper & Quartz Rockhounding in Saint Louis County, Minnesota

Updated July 2026

The bedrock around Ely belongs to the Archean Ely Greenstone, some of the oldest rock in Minnesota at roughly 2.7 billion years, and its iron formations and quartz veins yield jasper, quartz, and chalcedony. Streams, road cuts, and old prospect dumps in the Vermilion district are the traditional collecting ground. Much of the surrounding land is Superior National Forest, where casual hand collecting for personal use is generally permitted. Reported finds include jasper, quartz, chalcedony. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Ely photos

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

1 photo

Shagawa Lake at Ely in the Superior National Forest, Saint Louis County, Minnesota

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Saint Louis County
State: Minnesota
Nearest road: David Dill-Taconite State Trail
Postcode: 55731
Coordinates: 47.87559, -91.91449

Geology at Ely

This spot sits on Mafic metavolcanic rocks, mapped as metabasalt and greenstone that formed roughly 2800 to 2500 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this is where agate, jasper, and other chalcedony typically form, filling old gas pockets and fracture seams in the flow rock.

Mapped unit: Mafic metavolcanic rocks
Age: 2800–2500 Ma (Neoarchean)
Rock types: metabasalt and greenstone
Elevation: 1,430 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 Ely

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 15°F in midwinter, with winter lows near -7°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ELY station (4 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 Ely

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 Ely.

Ely FAQ

Where is Ely?+

Ely is in Saint Louis County, Minnesota, at 47.87559, -91.91449. Nearest road: David Dill-Taconite State Trail.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ely?+

Ely is reported to produce Jasper, Quartz, Chalcedony.

Is collecting allowed at Ely?+

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 Ely?+

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 Ely?+

The most comfortable months at Ely are April to October.

How do I get to Ely?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 47.87559, -91.91449 in Google Maps. The nearest road is David Dill-Taconite State Trail.

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