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Saxon Harbor County Park: Lake Superior Agate & Jasper Rockhounding in Iron County, Wisconsin

Updated July 2026

Saxon Harbor is Wisconsin's only county park on Lake Superior, set on Oronto Bay near the Michigan border. A 2020 reconstruction opened designated rock-picking beaches east and west of the harbor entrance, where collectors find Lake Superior agates, jasper, and occasional drift copper in the shoreline gravel. The park is a free Iron County facility with parking, boat launches, and beach access. Reported finds include lake superior agate, jasper, copper. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Iron County
State: Wisconsin
Nearest road: County Highway A
Postcode: 54559
Coordinates: 46.56360, -90.42970

Geology at Saxon Harbor County Park

This spot sits on Keweenawan Supergroup: Freda Sandstone, mapped as arkose that formed roughly 1600 to 1000 million years ago. Tough silica like agate, jasper, and chert typically weathers out of beds like these and collects as float in drainages and on deflation surfaces.

Mapped unit: Keweenawan Supergroup: Freda Sandstone
Age: 1600–1000 Ma (Mesoproterozoic)
Rock types: arkose
Elevation: 590 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 Saxon Harbor County Park

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 23°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 7°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SAXON 1WSW station (5 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 Saxon Harbor County Park

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 Saxon Harbor County Park.

Across the state line from Saxon Harbor County Park

Saxon Harbor County Park 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.

Saxon Harbor County Park FAQ

Where is Saxon Harbor County Park?+

Saxon Harbor County Park is in Iron County, Wisconsin, at 46.56360, -90.42970. Nearest road: County Highway A.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Saxon Harbor County Park?+

Saxon Harbor County Park is reported to produce Lake Superior Agate, Jasper, Copper.

Is collecting allowed at Saxon Harbor County Park?+

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 Saxon Harbor County Park?+

Most agate and jasper is surface float: bring a spray bottle, a pick or small shovel, and a sturdy bag. Wet stones show their banding and translucence.

When is the best time to visit Saxon Harbor County Park?+

The most comfortable months at Saxon Harbor County Park are April to October.

How do I get to Saxon Harbor County Park?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 46.56360, -90.42970 in Google Maps. The nearest road is County Highway A.

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