Ounce Creek: Agate & Azurite Rockhounding in Douglas County, Wisconsin

Updated June 2026

Ounce Creek is a mapped rockhounding spot in Douglas County, Wisconsin. Reported finds include agate, azurite, bornite, chlorite, copper, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Douglas County
State: Wisconsin
Nearest road: Coppermine Scenic Drive Loop
Postcode: 54838
Coordinates: 46.21921, -91.56404

Geology at Ounce Creek

This spot sits on Chengwatana Volcanic Group, mapped as basalt that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 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: Chengwatana Volcanic Group
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: basalt
Elevation: 1,190 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 Ounce Creek

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 79°F in midsummer and 19°F in midwinter, with winter lows near -1°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, GORDON station (12 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 Ounce Creek

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 Ounce Creek.

Across the state line from Ounce Creek

Ounce Creek is close enough to the Wisconsin border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Ounce Creek FAQ

Where is Ounce Creek?+

Ounce Creek is in Douglas County, Wisconsin, at 46.21921, -91.56404. Nearest road: Coppermine Scenic Drive Loop.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Ounce Creek?+

Ounce Creek is reported to produce Agate, Azurite, Bornite, Chlorite, Copper, Diopside, Epidote, Malachite, Quartz, Silver.

Is collecting allowed at Ounce Creek?+

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 Ounce Creek?+

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 Ounce Creek?+

The most comfortable months at Ounce Creek are April to October.

How do I get to Ounce Creek?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.21921, -91.56404 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Coppermine Scenic Drive Loop.

More rockhounding in Wisconsin

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Open Ounce Creek on the map

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