Mercer: Kyanite Rockhounding in Iron County, Wisconsin

Updated June 2026

Mercer is a mapped rockhounding spot in Iron County, Wisconsin. Reported finds include kyanite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Iron County
State: Wisconsin
Nearest road: Murray Landing Road
Coordinates: 46.07651, -90.08426

Geology at Mercer

This spot sits on Biotite schist, mapped as biotite schist that formed roughly 2050 to 1800 million years ago. Metamorphic rock like this is where garnet, staurolite, and kyanite typically grow as the rock recrystallizes under heat and pressure.

Mapped unit: Biotite schist
Age: 2050–1800 Ma (Paleoproterozoic)
Rock types: biotite schist
Elevation: 1,640 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 Mercer

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 20°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 0°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, REST LAKE station (10 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 Mercer

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

Kyanite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Mercer.

Across the state line from Mercer

Mercer 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.

Mercer FAQ

Where is Mercer?+

Mercer is in Iron County, Wisconsin, at 46.07651, -90.08426. Nearest road: Murray Landing Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mercer?+

Mercer is reported to produce Kyanite.

Is collecting allowed at Mercer?+

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 Mercer?+

A rock hammer, a sieve, and a small shovel work well for garnet-type minerals, which concentrate as resistant grains in soils and creek gravels.

When is the best time to visit Mercer?+

The most comfortable months at Mercer are April to October.

How do I get to Mercer?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.07651, -90.08426 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Murray Landing Road.

More rockhounding in Wisconsin

See all 77 Wisconsin spots →

Open Mercer on the map

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