Rockhounding Near Milwaukee, WI: 6 Places To Hunt Rocks, Crystals, and Fossils

If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity near Milwaukee, WI, why not try rockhounding?

Rockhounding is the hobby of collecting rocks, minerals, and crystals.

It’s a great way to get outside and explore nature. Plus, you can find some cool specimens to add to your collection.

There are many great places to go rockhounding near Milwaukee.

Throughout this article, we have listed just a few of the best spots to find rocks, minerals, and crystals near Milwaukee, WI.

Rockhounding Near Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Disclaimer

The information provided in this article by YesDirt.com is for informational purposes and is subject to change. Laws are updated. Accessibility guidelines and restrictions change. Be sure to confirm the land status and collection rules before you travel to an unfamiliar location or collect any material.

1. Lapham Peak State Park, Delafield

Lapham Peak is a great place to find quartz crystals, as well as fossils.

The park has a variety of different rocks and minerals that can be found, making it a great spot for rockhounding.

There are also quite a few different trails to explore, so you can make a day of it.

Lapham Peak State Park is a 1,958-acre state park in Waukesha County, Wisconsin.

The park is named for Increase A. Lapham, an early Wisconsin settler, scientist, and surveyor.

The park is located on the highest point in southeastern Wisconsin and offers scenic vistas of the surrounding countryside.

The park is open for year-round recreation, including hiking, camping, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.

The rocks and minerals that can be found in Lapham Peak State Park include quartz, calcite, pyrite, galena, and sphalerite.

2. Kettle Moraine State Forest, Northern Unit, Campbellsport

The Kettle Moraine State Forest is a great place to find a variety of different rocks and minerals.

There are several different trails to explore, and you can find a variety of different rocks and minerals along the way.

Kettle Moraine State Forest, Northern Unit, Campbellsport is known for its array of rocks, minerals, and crystals.

Visitors can find agates, quartz, calcite, pyrite, garnet, and more.

The best time to visit is in the spring or fall when the weather is cool and the crowds are smaller.

Visitors should be aware that there are fees for parking and accessing the forest, and that some areas may require 4-wheel drive.

3. Whitewater Lake State Park, Whitewater

Whitewater Lake State Park is a great place to find a variety of different rocks and minerals.

The park has several different trails to explore, and you can find a variety of different rocks and minerals along the way.

The park is located in the Kettle Moraine area of Wisconsin, which is known for its glacially formed hills, kettles (depressions formed by retreating glaciers), and moraines (mounds of debris left by a glacier).

The types of rocks found in this area are primarily sedimentary.

This means that they were once deposited at the bottom of a lake or ocean and over time were compacted and cemented together.

The most common sedimentary rocks found in Whitewater Lake State Park are sandstone, shale, and limestone.

The sandstone at Whitewater Lake State Park is mostly red due to the high iron content in the area.

This type of sandstone is known as ironstone.

The shale is also red and is rich in iron and magnesium.

The limestone found in the park is gray and contains fossils of marine animals such as brachiopods, bryozoans, gastropods, and crinoids.

4. Rock River Park, Watertown

Rock River Park is a great place to find a variety of different rocks and minerals.

The park has several different trails to explore, and you can find a variety of different rocks and minerals along the way.

There is a parking lot on the north side of the river off of Highway 19.

From there, you can take the Riverwalk under the bridge to access the park.

Rock River Park in Watertown, WI is a great place to find a variety of rocks, minerals, and fossils.

The park has a wide variety of rock formations that are perfect for hunting and collecting.

Some of the most popular rocks to collect in the park include:

-Sandstone

-Quartzite

–Granite

-Limestone

-Shale

-Conglomerate

Each of these rock types can be found in a variety of colors and sizes, making for a great rockhounding experience.

The park also has a number of crystal formations that can be found.

Some of the most popular crystals to look for in the park include:

-Quartz

-Sulfur

-Calcite

-Fluorite

-Apatite

5. Pike Lake State Park, Hartford

Pike Lake State Park is a great place to find a variety of different rocks and minerals.

The park has several different trails to explore, and you can find a variety of different rocks and minerals along the way.

Pike Lake State Park is located in Hartford, WI.

You can access it by taking I-43 to Hwy 60 westbound.

Take the first exit after the bridge onto CTH Y.

Follow CTH Y north for 4 miles to the park entrance on the left.

Pike Lake State Park, located in Hartford, WI, is a great place to find rocks, minerals, and crystals.

The park is home to a variety of rocks, minerals, and crystals, including quartzite, limestone, sandstone, dolomite, and shale.

In addition to the variety of rocks and minerals that can be found in the park, there are also a variety of fossils that can be found.

The best time to visit Pike Lake State Park for rockhounding is during the spring and fall months.

The park is open year-round, but the best time to find rocks, minerals, and fossils is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is not too hot or too cold.

There are no fees for rockhounding in Pike Lake State Park.

However, if you plan on camping in the park, there is a camping fee.

Pike Lake State Park is a great place for rockhounding near Milwaukee, WI.

6. Riverside Park, Waukesha

Riverside Park is a great place to find a variety of different rocks and minerals.

The park has several different trails to explore, and you can find a variety of different rocks and minerals along the way. Riverside Park is located in Waukesha, WI.

You can access it by taking I-43 to exit 72 (County Rd E). Follow County Rd E east for 1.5 miles to the park entrance on the right.

Riverside Park, located in Waukesha, WI, is a great place to find rocks, minerals, and fossils.

The park is home to a variety of rocks, minerals, and crystals, including limestone, sandstone, shale, and conglomerate.

In addition to the variety of rocks and minerals that can be found in the park, several fossils can be found.

The best time to visit Riverside Park for rockhounding is during the spring and fall months.

The park is open year-round, but the best time to find rocks, minerals, and fossils is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is not too hot or too cold.

There are no fees for rockhounding in Riverside Park.

However, if you plan on camping in the park, there is a camping fee.

Riverside Park is a great place for rockhounding near Milwaukee, WI.

These are just a few of the great places to go rock rockhounding near Milwaukee, WI.

With so many great places to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next rockhounding adventure.