Best spot

Powell Kyanite: Kyanite & Staurolite Rockhounding in Iron County, Wisconsin

Updated July 2026

The schist exposures near Powell, on the Manitowish Range, form one of Wisconsin's few good kyanite and staurolite localities. The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey documents blue kyanite and staurolite porphyroblasts up to about 3 cm in mica schist with biotite, quartz, and oligoclase. The site lies in public forest country along State Highway 182, and regional gem and mineral clubs have run collecting trips here. Reported finds include kyanite, staurolite, almandine, biotite, quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Powell Kyanite photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Rock outcrop (Sherman Twin Rocks) in the north woods of Iron County, Wisconsin, near the Manitowish Range

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Iron County
State: Wisconsin
Nearest road: State Highway 182
Postcode: 54547
Coordinates: 46.11300, -90.10300

Geology at Powell Kyanite

This spot sits on Biotite schist, mapped as biotite schist that formed roughly 2050 to 1800 million years ago. Metamorphic terrain like this typically carries quartz veins and sweats, and weathered crystals tend to end up in the soils and streams below.

Mapped unit: Biotite schist
Age: 2050–1800 Ma (Paleoproterozoic)
Rock types: biotite schist
Elevation: 1,580 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 Powell Kyanite

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 78°F in midsummer and 20°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 1°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, REST LAKE station (11 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 Powell Kyanite

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 Powell Kyanite.

Across the state line from Powell Kyanite

Powell Kyanite 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.

Powell Kyanite FAQ

Where is Powell Kyanite?+

Powell Kyanite is in Iron County, Wisconsin, at 46.11300, -90.10300. Nearest road: State Highway 182.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Powell Kyanite?+

Powell Kyanite is reported to produce Kyanite, Staurolite, Almandine, Biotite, Quartz.

Is collecting allowed at Powell Kyanite?+

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 Powell Kyanite?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Powell Kyanite?+

The most comfortable months at Powell Kyanite are April to October.

How do I get to Powell Kyanite?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.11300, -90.10300 in Google Maps. The nearest road is State Highway 182.

More rockhounding in Wisconsin

See all 77 Wisconsin spots →

Open Powell Kyanite on the map

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