Near Saxon Falls: Calcite & Chlorite Rockhounding in Iron County, Wisconsin
Updated July 2026
The Montreal River gorge below Saxon Falls exposes Keweenawan basalt whose gas cavities are lined with zeolite minerals. The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey records prehnite and thomsonite here, along with calcite, epidote, laumontite, and chlorite in the amygdaloidal flows. The falls sit on a hydroelectric project with a public overlook and parking, so the loose float along the public river access is the practical collecting ground. Reported finds include calcite, chlorite, epidote, laumontite, prehnite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Near Saxon Falls photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Near Saxon Falls in Iron County, Wisconsin
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Iron County
- State
- Wisconsin
- Nearest road
- Saxon Falls Road
- Postcode
- 54559
- Coordinates
- 46.53557, -90.37873
Geology at Near Saxon Falls
This spot sits on Keweenawan Supergroup: Porcupine Volcanics, mapped as andesite that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Volcanic ground like this weathers into rocky slopes and float, and fresh exposures in cuts and drainages are usually the most productive places to look.
- Mapped unit
- Keweenawan Supergroup: Porcupine Volcanics
- Age
- 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
- Rock types
- andesite
- Elevation
- 950 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 Near Saxon Falls
Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 78°F in midsummer and 22°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 5°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SAXON 1WSW station (4 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 Near Saxon Falls
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 Near Saxon Falls.
- Saxon Harbor County ParkTop pick in WisconsinIron County, Wisconsin · 3 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Copper
- Iron CountyIron County, Wisconsin · 8 mi awayAgate, Jasper
- Montreal MineIron County, Wisconsin · 10 mi awayActinolite, Barite, Selenite
- Iron CountyIron County, Wisconsin · 11 mi awayCopper
- General AreaAshland County, Wisconsin · 15 mi awayCopper
- Big Bay Town ParkTop pick in WisconsinAshland County, Wisconsin · 21 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Thomsonite
- Ashland CountyAshland County, Wisconsin · 25 mi awayAgate, Jasper
- Powell KyaniteTop pick in WisconsinIron County, Wisconsin · 32 mi awayKyanite, Staurolite, Almandine
Across the state line from Near Saxon Falls
Near Saxon Falls 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.
- Little Girls Point County ParkGogebic County, Michigan · 5 mi awayBasalt, Granite, Unakite
- Black River HarborGogebic County, Michigan · 18 mi away
- Union Bay CampgroundOntonagon County, Michigan · 40 mi away
- Gull PointOntonagon County, Michigan · 44 mi awayKeweenaw Agate
- Green ParkOntonagon County, Michigan · 49 mi awayCharlevoix Stone, Honeycomb Coral, Rhyolite
- Lake Superior Beach (Ontonagon)Top pick in MichiganOntonagon County, Michigan · 55 mi awayKeweenaw Agate, Thomsonite, Chalcedony
Near Saxon Falls FAQ
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More rockhounding in Wisconsin
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