Montreal Mine: Actinolite & Barite Rockhounding in Iron County, Wisconsin

Updated June 2026

Montreal Mine is a mapped rockhounding spot in Iron County, Wisconsin. Reported finds include actinolite, barite, selenite, braunite, calcite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Iron County
State: Wisconsin
Nearest road: Wisconsin Avenue
Coordinates: 46.42810, -90.23371

Geology at Montreal Mine

This spot sits on Marquette Range Supergroup: Palms Formation, mapped as quartzite that formed roughly 2500 to 1600 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this commonly hosts vein and replacement mineralization, and old workings typically mark the productive zones.

Mapped unit: Marquette Range Supergroup: Palms Formation
Age: 2500–1600 Ma (Paleoproterozoic)
Rock types: quartzite
Elevation: 1,570 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 Montreal Mine

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 77°F in midsummer and 20°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 3°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, HURLEY station (3 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 Montreal Mine

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 Montreal Mine.

Across the state line from Montreal Mine

Montreal Mine 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.

Montreal Mine FAQ

Where is Montreal Mine?+

Montreal Mine is in Iron County, Wisconsin, at 46.42810, -90.23371. Nearest road: Wisconsin Avenue.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Montreal Mine?+

Montreal Mine is reported to produce Actinolite, Barite, Selenite, Braunite, Calcite, Celestine, Dickite, Dolomite, Galena, Goethite, Gypsum, Hematite, Magnetite, Marcasite, Pyrite, Quartz, Rhodochrosite, Siderite.

Is collecting allowed at Montreal Mine?+

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 Montreal Mine?+

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 Montreal Mine?+

The most comfortable months at Montreal Mine are April to October.

How do I get to Montreal Mine?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.42810, -90.23371 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Wisconsin Avenue.

More rockhounding in Wisconsin

See all 77 Wisconsin spots →

Open Montreal Mine on the map

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