Where To Find Agates in Minnesota

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Where To Find Agates in Minnesota

The Great Lakes hide an astounding variety of agates, making all of the states bordering them hotspots for collectors and novelty seekers. Minnesota stands as a great place to find coveted Lake Superior agate among others, the trick is finding the right place to look.

While bodies of water all over the state have a good chance of producing agates, we’re going to look at some of the best places to find agates in Minnesota.

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1. Beaver Bay

Beaver Bay is an excellent stop for agate hunters, with stones spread along the easily accessed Beaver Creek. There’s even a store devoted to agate in the small town that’s located about 50 miles northwest of Duluth.

You’ll want to get on the 4 heading northwest from the center of Beaver Bay. Just a bit under a quarter-mile along the 4 you’ll see a turn-off for the local trailhead. This is a great place to park, and you can get on the trail easily from there.

There’s a bridge that allows access to the northern shore of the Beaver River a short way along the trail. The banks are much easier to access from the north since the trail passes much closer to the water. The agates are scattered in the river and along the banks, just requiring a closer look on your part.

While not the most convenient location for those from out of state, the agates here are fantastic and fairly common. Easy access and collecting make it a favorite for local collectors. Give it a shot if you happen to be in the Duluth area, it’s a good combination of ease of access and high chances of a successful agate hunt.

2. Knife River

The banks of the Knife River are another hot spot for agate collecting located along the Eastern shore of Minnesota. Indeed, most of the better locations for agates in the state of Minnesota are spread along this stretch of highway.

The beaches of Knife River, and the banks of the actual river, are both easy to access for agate hunters. There are several locations where you can park practically on top of the water and get to hunting within minutes. The beaches bordering Lake Superior proper also have a good chance of hosting agate.

These seem to be the same sort of Lake Superior agates that the region is famous for. This is a great spot for those who know what they’re doing, especially since you can easily switch between hunting the river and hunting the beaches in the same stop.

Convenience can also mean thinner pickings than some spots. That said, the churn of the water constantly brings up more material to be found, so it’s not likely to be a dead spot for a long, long time into the future.

3. Carlton County

Carlton County is one of the few places I’ve seen that actually has a whole permitting scheme in place for those who want to collect agates. While it may seem like a bit of a pain, its important to remember that it also ensures you don’t have to worry about the legality of where you’ve decided to go picking.

Carlton County has several pits that allow for easy collection of agate. These pits require permits to access, but once you’re in you’ve got a great chance of finding some impressive specimens. The agates in this area tend towards the red-orange part of the color spectrum.

The digging is easy: they’re gravel pits. A small folding shovel, a bucket, and some water to check on the true color of interesting finds are all you need to get started. It’s just a matter of time and agate hunting experience, you’re sure to find at least a few samples to bring home.

Since agates are so common in this area, there are even events set up to celebrate them. I’d avoid the events and head there during a less active time of year, but if you enjoy the company you can certainly have it! Carlton County is a great spot and another convenient area for locating agates in Minnesota.

4. Brighton Beach

A gravel beach along the Eastern shore of Minnesota, Brighton Beach is another great place to go agate hunting. This particular beach is almost entirely gravel, making it a great spot for prospective agate hunters to get their hands wet.

It’s also conveniently located, about 6 miles northwest of the center of Duluth. You can access the beach easily on the 61, turning right on Brighton Beach Road and following it to the park. Parking is easy to find, allowing you to spend more time exploring the beach.

The agates here are usually the same Lake Superior agates found throughout the North Shore of Minnesota. They tend to show up both in the gravel and are washed up with regularity along the finer sands at the water’s edge.

While there’s no river hunting in this area, it’s a great way to spend an afternoon. It’s located near “civilization” and its straightforward to drive there from Duluth. You can also park practically on top of the beach, so an agate-laden bucket is less of a hassle than you’d have to deal with in most places!

5. Agate Bay Beach

North of Knife River is Agate Bay Beach, named for the stones that you’re searching for. This beach is located at the Southern end of the town of Two Harbors, on the 61 Northeast of Duluth. It’s easy to access once you’re in town and a couple of public parks border the shores.

This gravel-strewn beach is known to host Lake Superior Agates, and it’s a popular hunting location for the locals of the area. It’s definitely worth a stop for those heading along the North Shore in search of agate, a gem among the countless agate-containing beaches along Lake Superior.

This particular locale is known to host more of the reddish Lake Superior agates. It may be a little bit more picked over than some areas, but the volcanic stones underneath the lake keep bringing more and more of these treasures into the sunlight.

In addition to being a great place for agate, it’s also located in Two Harbors, so nearby accommodations are easy to find. It’s also a great spot to get a feel for the kind of beaches you should be searching in the area. Keep in mind the entire North Shore of Minnesota is a prime hunting ground, so picking the right beach is mostly a matter of luck. 

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