Platteville: Barite & Calcite Rockhounding in Grant County, Wisconsin

Updated June 2026

Platteville is a mapped rockhounding spot in Grant County, Wisconsin. Reported finds include barite, calcite, galena, marcasite, pyrite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Grant County
State: Wisconsin
Nearest road: West Main Street
Postcode: 53818
Coordinates: 42.73456, -90.48031

Geology at Platteville

This spot sits on Sinnipee Group, mapped as dolostone that formed roughly 485 to 445 million years ago. Carbonate rock like this is the classic host for lead, zinc, and fluorite mineralization, which typically follows old cavities and replacement zones.

Mapped unit: Sinnipee Group
Age: 485–445 Ma (Ordovician)
Rock types: dolostone
Elevation: 1,000 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 Platteville

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 82°F in midsummer and 26°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 10°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, PLATTEVILLE station (1 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 Platteville

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 Platteville.

Across the state line from Platteville

Platteville 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.

Platteville FAQ

Where is Platteville?+

Platteville is in Grant County, Wisconsin, at 42.73456, -90.48031. Nearest road: West Main Street.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Platteville?+

Platteville is reported to produce Barite, Calcite, Galena, Marcasite, Pyrite, Smithsonite, Sphalerite.

Is collecting allowed at Platteville?+

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 Platteville?+

A rock hammer, gloves, and safety glasses cover old mining-district ground. Stay out of shafts and adits; the best specimens typically come from dump piles.

When is the best time to visit Platteville?+

The most comfortable months at Platteville are April to November.

How do I get to Platteville?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.73456, -90.48031 in Google Maps. The nearest road is West Main Street.

More rockhounding in Wisconsin

See all 77 Wisconsin spots →

Open Platteville on the map

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