Permitted Pursuits

Rockhounding in Minnesota

1 location in Minnesota checked against the rules of the agency that manages each one: 1 prohibited. Each page gives the permit requirements, limits, restrictions and penalties, with the primary sources it was checked against.

Rules last checked in October 2026

1 Prohibited

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Site Guides

Prohibited

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Minnesota, Lake·Rockhounding

Taking agates or any rocks from Gooseberry Falls State Park is prohibited: Minnesota bans rock collecting in every state park except Hill Annex Mine. Look and photograph on Agate Beach, but leave the stones.

  • Minnesota's state park rule bars anyone from disturbing or removing state property in a state park, including "geological formations" (Minn. R. 6100.0900, subp. 1), and the DNR states plainly that "rock collecting is not allowed in the state parks"
  • The rule's only rock-collecting exception is Hill Annex Mine State Park on the Iron Range (subp. 2.C), not any North Shore park