Do-it-yourself Geology Field Trips in Minnesota
Minnesota has a lot to offer when it comes to scenery and geology. The GSM is not a tourist bureau, but has helped tourists and citizens understand the geologic wonders. How? By erecting 60 geological markers around the state.
The next time you take a trip to the North Shore, along the Minnesota River, the Metro Area, or anywhere else in the state, consider visiting several geology markers along the way. Coming soon to the GSM website will be “Do-it-yourself Geology Field Trips”. You will find the names and locations of markers in that area.
Here is a list of suggested “Do-it-yourself Geology Field Trips.”
- Northwest Corner
- Brainerd-Lake Mille Lacs
- Alexandria and Big Stone
- Minnesota River Valley
- Southwest Corner
- Karst Country (Southeast Corner)
- Mississippi River Valley
- St. Croix River Valley
- MetroArea
- North Shore
- Route 35 North
- Iron Range
Remember, GSM members can provide a helpful service by reporting any marker vandalism and GPS coordinates to the GSM Marker Committee. We plan to make these DIY Geology Field Trips available to the general public through our website.
| Field Trip Name and Location | Suggested GSM Markers |
| Northwest corner | The lakes of Minnesota, – Geology of Bad Medicine Lake, – Lake Agassiz, – Geology of Minnesota – Glacial Lake Agassiz |
| Brainerd-Mille LacsBrainerd, Garrison, Isle | Savanna Portage Continental Divide, – Geology of Lake Mille Lacs, – Brainerd Region, – Portsmouth Mine, – Geology of the Lake Mille Lacs region, – Glacial crossroads becomes a lake, – The Ripley Esker |
| Alexandria and Big Stone | Ortonville region, – Geology of the Willmar region, – Geology of Inspiration Peak, – Glenwood region |
| Minnesota River Valley | Ortonville region, – A witness to time, – The Minnesota River Valley, – Water and ice shape the landscape, – Mankato region, – Geology of the Minnesota River valley, – Geology of the redwood Falls region |
| Southwest Corner Laverne, Lake Benton and Pipestone | Geology of the Lake Benton region, – Geology of the Adrian area, – Sioux quartzite and pipestone |
| Karst Country (Southeast corner) | Mystery Cave, – Geology of sinkholes, – Big Spring, – Geology of Minnesota, – Geology of the Rice Lake area, – Great River bluffs, – Mississippi River, – Whitewater State Park, – Geology of southeastern Minnesota |
| Mississippi River Valley | Dakota County Region, – Geology of Frontenac State Park, – Red Wing region, – Geology of Lake Pepin, – Great River bluffs, – Mississippi River |
| St. Croix River Valley | Glacial potholes, – Geology of the Taylors Falls Region, – Stillwater region |
| Metro Area | Minnehaha Falls, – Lake Harriet region, – Geology of Lake Minnetonka, – The Mississippi finds a way, – Geology of Palmer Lake, – Geology of the Coon Rapids Dam area, – St. Peter Sandstone38 – Indian Mounds Park328 – Geology of the Elk River region |
| North Shore | Geology of the St. Louis River, – Jay Cooke State Park, – Good Harbor Bay, – Grand Marais, – Lake Superiors Agate, – Geology complicates bridge foundation, – Geology behind the waterfalls, – Geology of the Split Rock region, – Geology of Duluth Harbor |
| Route 35 North | Moose Lake Region, – Kettle River Rapids |
| Iron Range | Savanna Portage Continental Divide, – Geology of the Hill Annex Mine, – A three-way continental divide, – Geology of the Mesabi region, – The Laurentian Divide, – Origin of McCarthy Beach |