Any recs for rockhounding south or central Wisconsin?

ericabelle
spending too much on rocks

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Any recs for rockhounding south or central Wisconsin? Jul 1, 2021 7:26:59 GMT -5

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Post by ericabelle on Jul 1, 2021 7:26:59 GMT -5

Hi! We are going to the EAA AirVenture in OshKosh, WI at the end of this month; and I'm struggling to find any good rockhounding spots around there or even along the way. We'll be traveling from southern Missouri, so typically we would go through St Louis, Springfield (IL), Bloomington (IL), Rockford (IL), Madison (WI). There is also a route that takes us through a lot of the towns along Lake Michigan.

Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve on Lake Michigan looked like it had some rocks, but I don't know what type. Same with Port Washington South Beach Park. OshKosh is on Lake Winnebago, and it does look like there are some rivers and a lake west of it, too.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." - Jack London

NDK
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Any recs for rockhounding south or central Wisconsin? Jul 3, 2021 21:15:55 GMT -5 via mobile fernwood likes this

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Post by NDK on Jul 3, 2021 21:15:55 GMT -5

I can't really help with Lake Michigan, but I can tell you don't waste your time looking for rocks around Lake winnebago. There's nothing but mud and mush. The Winnebago system is only good for walleyes...

If you have time, I'd suggest a stop in the Keokuk Iowa area. It's fun picking & digging for those geodes.

Last Edit: Jul 3, 2021 21:24:04 GMT -5 by NDK

-Nate

ericabelle
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Any recs for rockhounding south or central Wisconsin? Jul 4, 2021 7:39:35 GMT -5 via mobile

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Post by ericabelle on Jul 4, 2021 7:39:35 GMT -5

Jul 3, 2021 21:15:55 GMT -5 NDK said:

I can't really help with Lake Michigan, but I can tell you don't waste your time looking for rocks around Lake winnebago. There's nothing but mud and mush. The Winnebago system is only good for walleyes...

If you have time, I'd suggest a stop in the Keokuk Iowa area. It's fun picking & digging for those geodes.

Thanks for the suggestion and the warning about the lake. I had thought of Keokuk, but I wasn't sure how good the site was. I'm glad to hear from someone that has been there that it's a good one! That definitely moves to the top of my list!

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." - Jack London

stewdogg
spending too much on rocks

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Any recs for rockhounding south or central Wisconsin? Jul 5, 2021 11:43:57 GMT -5

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Post by stewdogg on Jul 5, 2021 11:43:57 GMT -5

There's not a ton of rockhounding in the southern part of the state.
There is some Baraboo Quartzite that is unique to the area and is pretty easily found. There are some great patterns and pretty pink/purple colors. They have a lot of white quartz inclusions and some have black dots. It's interesting material and takes a nice shine even though it is a bit difficult to work with.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baraboo_Quartzite

www.google.com/search?q=baraboo+quartzite&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS717US762&sxsrf=ALeKk00kUfd9T571bRP86vgInhBVi4btqg:1625502838931&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgqa76rczxAhXCXM0KHWrqD-8Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1152&bih=637

Other than that you need to get to some of the land that has been dug out by the glaciers that came through the area and hope for some luck.
www.google.com/search?q=wisconsin+glacier+map&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS717US762&sxsrf=ALeKk03OL3o5MF8HAQl7ViZq9xRLWed4UQ:1625503066275&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgweLmrszxAhVGOs0KHWc-CIIQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1152&bih=637

The rivers have some good stuff as well. This site has some good ideas for places to checkout in Wisconsin.

rockhoundresource.com/wisconsin-rockhounding-locations-map/

Good luck with the rock hounding! Have fun at the fly in, be safe and drive safe!!

Last Edit: Jul 5, 2021 11:44:40 GMT -5 by stewdogg

fernwood misunderstood rock expert Member since May 2016 Posts: 11,965	Any recs for rockhounding south or central Wisconsin? Jul 5, 2021 14:49:18 GMT -5 stewdogg likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by fernwood on Jul 5, 2021 14:49:18 GMT -5 Check out Lutz Quarry near Oshkosh. Have heard some nice rocks can be found there. I have never been there.
	Listen to the rock. The rock knows its destiny. It will guide you in fulfilling that. www.facebook.com/Native-Inspirations-1212045702232918/ somethingspecialwi.com/list/member/native-inspirations-5975 www.flickr.com/photos/145230675@N04/albums

ericabelle
spending too much on rocks

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Any recs for rockhounding south or central Wisconsin? Jul 5, 2021 17:58:31 GMT -5 stewdogg likes this

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Post by ericabelle on Jul 5, 2021 17:58:31 GMT -5

Jul 5, 2021 11:43:57 GMT -5 stewdogg said:

There's not a ton of rockhounding in the southern part of the state.
There is some Baraboo Quartzite that is unique to the area and is pretty easily found. There are some great patterns and pretty pink/purple colors. They have a lot of white quartz inclusions and some have black dots. It's interesting material and takes a nice shine even though it is a bit difficult to work with.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baraboo_Quartzite

www.google.com/search?q=baraboo+quartzite&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS717US762&sxsrf=ALeKk00kUfd9T571bRP86vgInhBVi4btqg:1625502838931&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgqa76rczxAhXCXM0KHWrqD-8Q_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1152&bih=637

Other than that you need to get to some of the land that has been dug out by the glaciers that came through the area and hope for some luck.
www.google.com/search?q=wisconsin+glacier+map&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS717US762&sxsrf=ALeKk03OL3o5MF8HAQl7ViZq9xRLWed4UQ:1625503066275&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgweLmrszxAhVGOs0KHWc-CIIQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1152&bih=637

The rivers have some good stuff as well. This site has some good ideas for places to checkout in Wisconsin.

rockhoundresource.com/wisconsin-rockhounding-locations-map/

Good luck with the rock hounding! Have fun at the fly in, be safe and drive safe!!

Thanks so much for all that great info! That quartzite looks interesting, and I'll checkout the map and website as well! Gotta squeeze in some rockhounding in every trip!

Last Edit: Jul 5, 2021 18:00:15 GMT -5 by ericabelle

"You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club." - Jack London

ericabelle
spending too much on rocks

Instagram acct: @erica_shoots_everything

Member since April 2021
Posts: 482

Any recs for rockhounding south or central Wisconsin? Jul 5, 2021 18:00:50 GMT -5

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