Big Falls Park: Almandine & Cummingtonite Rockhounding in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin

Updated June 2026

Big Falls Park is a mapped rockhounding spot in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. Reported finds include almandine, cummingtonite, hornblende, plagioclase. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Eau Claire County
State: Wisconsin
Nearest road: Big Falls Forest Road
Coordinates: 44.82095, -91.29363

Geology at Big Falls Park

This spot sits on ground mapped as sandstone that formed roughly 540 to 485 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Age: 540–485 Ma (Cambrian)
Rock types: sandstone
Elevation: 820 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Big Falls Park

Best months: April to October. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 24°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 6°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CHIPPEWA VALLEY RGNL AP station (10 mi away).

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 Big Falls Park

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 Big Falls Park.

Across the state line from Big Falls Park

Big Falls Park 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.

Big Falls Park FAQ

Where is Big Falls Park?+

Big Falls Park is in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, at 44.82095, -91.29363. Nearest road: Big Falls Forest Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Big Falls Park?+

Big Falls Park is reported to produce Almandine, Cummingtonite, Hornblende, Plagioclase.

Is collecting allowed at Big Falls Park?+

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. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Big Falls Park?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Big Falls Park?+

The most comfortable months at Big Falls Park are April to October.

How do I get to Big Falls Park?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.82095, -91.29363 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Big Falls Forest Road.

More rockhounding in Wisconsin

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Open Big Falls Park on the map

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