Jackson Co. Iron Mine dumps — Rockhounding in Jackson County, Wisconsin
Updated July 2026
The reclaimed Jackson County iron mine, now the free Wazee Lake Recreation Area east of Black River Falls, is one of Wisconsin's premier metamorphic mineral localities. The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey documents almandine garnet porphyroblasts up to 2 cm alongside staurolite, andalusite, kyanite, sillimanite, and magnetite in the mica schist and iron formation around the pit. Collecting is done on the waste-rock piles and schist exposures, since the open pit itself is now the deepest lake in the state. Reported finds include actinolite, almandine, andalusite, biotite, kyanite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Jackson Co. Iron Mine dumps photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Jackson Co. Iron Mine dumps in Jackson County, Wisconsin
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Jackson County
- State
- Wisconsin
- Coordinates
- 44.29387, -90.71836
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 Jackson Co. Iron Mine dumps
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 Jackson Co. Iron Mine dumps.
- Black River & tributariesClark County, Wisconsin · 19 mi awayAgate, Jasper
- Central Wood CountyWood County, Wisconsin · 35 mi awayAgate, Aventurine, Quartzite
- La Crosse CountyLa Crosse County, Wisconsin · 37 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- Bluffs of Miss. RiverLa Crosse County, Wisconsin · 44 mi awayLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Diamond
- Little Falls AreaEau Claire County, Wisconsin · 45 mi awayBeryl
- OwenClark County, Wisconsin · 46 mi awayJasper
- Big Falls ParkEau Claire County, Wisconsin · 46 mi awayAlmandine, Cummingtonite, Hornblende
- HalderMarathon County, Wisconsin · 52 mi awayEpidote, Unakite
Across the state line from Jackson Co. Iron Mine dumps
Jackson Co. Iron Mine dumps 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.
- Lake WinonaWinona County, Minnesota · 49 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- General Area (Winona)Winona County, Minnesota · 51 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- WinonaWinona County, Minnesota · 52 mi awayLake Superior Agate
- Bronk QuarryWinona County, Minnesota · 53 mi awayCalcite, Dolomite, Goethite
- CaledoniaHouston County, Minnesota · 61 mi awayCalcite
- WabashaWabasha County, Minnesota · 66 mi awayLake Superior Agate
Jackson Co. Iron Mine dumps FAQ
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More rockhounding in Wisconsin
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