Be sure to leave a few rocks for the next hunter, though! In the beautiful rolling Irish Hills of southeast Michigan, Hayes State Park offers a respite from the busyness of nearby Detroit, Ann Arbor and Jackson. Please view our directory listingfor general contact information. In the 19th century, much of northern Michigan was covered with centuries-old virgin white pine. Buy on Amazon We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I have seen a lot, and I have taken photographs and videos at almost every single beach we have visited. Visitors can swim, fish and boat in the lake or camp in one of 240 modern campsites. If you walk either way down the beach, youll be able to find your own little section of shoreline to pick through the plentiful piles of rock. Walk through the historic buildings, then enjoy the parks fishing, swimming beach, boat launch, playground and camping opportunities. More than one mile of unspoiled Lake Michigan lakeshore and high sand dunes make up Van Buren State Park, drawing beach lovers on the hottest of summer days. Enjoy the lake views from atop a towering sand dune and enjoy a day spent on the parks hiking trails, swimming beach and picnic areas. Like its counterpart, North Higgins Lake State Park, Higgins Lakes serene, wooded beauty forms the chief draw for South Higgins Lake State Park, located near Roscommon. Rockport is a 4,237-acre state park located along the shore of Lake Huron in Alpena and Presque Isle counties in Michigan. Michigan's Wetland Wonders are premier managed waterfowl hunt areas. Make sure someone knows where you are and that you are able to find your way safely back to your vehicle. Visit Muskegons P.J. Learn about how millwrights transformed Michigan trees into lumber in the 1700s. They constructed enormous limestone reef structures on the seafloor as they multiplied. Petoskey stone, the state's official rock since 1966, may be collected from the Fisherman's Island State Park near Charlevoix or the south end of the beach from Petoskey State Park. Please note that if there is still ice on the beach, do not climb on it and keep a safe distance. When we first arrived at Black Lake, we were in awe of the number of favosites we found in the shallow waters near the shoreline. Plan your trips ahead of time with our Great Lakes Rockhounding Map Whether you're looking for beautiful Lake Superior Agates, shimmering Yooperlites, or the prehistoric Petoskey Stone; our map will be sure to lead you in the right direction! The shoreline on most of the western side of the Leelanau Peninsula is rocky and known for its vast amount of Petoskey stones, jasper, and unakite. Our favorite rock beach in the Southeastern Lower Peninsula is Lakeport State Park. Blossomland Gem & Mineral Society. DNR educators across the state provide fun, educational activities, programs and workshops year-round for adults, families and kids. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE WINTER FUN HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Find facility info, overnight info, an event calendar and much more. Colonial Michilimackinac State Park also includes broad Lake Michigan and Lake Huron beaches and an 1892 lighthouse. Inland, the park offers access to Hamlin Lake, with quieter and warmer waters appealing even when Lake Michigans surf is too cold for swimming. Additionally there should be places in Houghton & Keweenaw Counties in the Copper Country to do some collecting as well. Located just 10 miles up the Lake Huron shore from Port Huron, Lakeport State Park provides a popular Great Lakes picnicking and camping getaway for visitors to eastern Michigan. One of the Traverse City regions most spectacular state parks, Leelanau sits at the northernmost tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, the pinky finger of the Michigan mitten. Some of you might be confused about this inclusion, and I dont blame you. RockSeeker.com is reader-supported. So bring a bucket big enough for your findings, and come rock and fossil hunting in Southwest Michigan! In addition to a playground and beach volleyball, one of the most popular things to do at Hoeft is to scan the few miles of beachfront for fossils, pudding stones, and other Michigan rocks. Muskallonge Lake State Park lies midway between Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The beach up at Whitefish Point in the UP had tons of smooth flat rocks perfect for skipping. Meets 2nd Thursday of each month. Available activities range from swimming, beachcombing and sunbathing to SUP, paddling and boating. I blame it on the strong currents. No matter where you are in the western Upper Peninsula, if there are rocks, you are in the right place! Coral fossils are part of a large group of invertebrates called the Coelenterates, which means "hollow-intestine," referringto their hollow body cavity, according to the Department of Environmental Quality. This variety makes Lake Huron an excellent location for rock hunting. Though there can be exceptions, your best chance at finding these fossils is in the presence of other stones. Visitors enjoy Lake Michigan fishing, beachcombing and swimming. Familiarize yourself with the beach, make sure you know how to get back to your vehicle and have a plan before the sun goes down. Located just 15 miles west of Ishpeming, the lake draws visitors with its swimming beach, fishing and boating. Located less than 20 minutes from Port Huron, Lakeport is the most accessible campground and rock hunting beach on this list for folks who hail from metro Detroit. Established in 1920, Otsego Lake State Park ranks as one of Michigans oldest state parks. No matter where you are in our great state, odds are, you arent far from either of these things. Some 80% of Mackinac Island is state park land, which includes an authentic Revolutionary War-era fort, many miles of hiking trails and M-185, a paved 8-mile road that encircles the island and is the nations only state highway where motorized vehicles are banned. With all that in mind, lets take a look at our favorite campgrounds in Michigan that offer on-site rock hunting! Here are the five coolest rocks in Michigan that every rock hunter has to find in his or her lifetime. The campground gets pretty busy in the summer months, making the area close to the end of the trail to Lake Superior quite crowded. Even with stunning views of Lake Superior, a playground, and access to the Little Elm River, the parks crown jewel is the endless Lake Superior beachfront that is chock-full of rocks. When in doubt, just keep walking! Located just south of Traverse City and true to its nameInterlochen means between the lakesthis northern Michigan state park lies between Duck and Green Lakes. It is mostly comprised of quartz and feldspar, with trace quantities of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals. Its an easy walk by boardwalk from the state park to downtown Grand Haven shopping, dining and the Musical Fountain. Pudding stones may be found on Drummond Island and along Michigans eastern coast. DNR educators provide classroom lessons, field trip opportunities, professional development and experiential programs to teachers around the state. The copper ore-rich rocks lived in rock layers deep in Lake Superior. You can also hike 8 miles of forested hiking trails and check out the historic Civilian Conservation Corps Museum onsite. Glow sticks can help you identify where you entered the beach and make sure you get back to your vehicle safely. If youre strolling the shores of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for your search, keep in mind that stones must remain where you find them. Hunting and Fishing; Agate Stone Hunting on Lake Superior. Favosites are an extinct coral type. Our favorite rock beaches in the Southwestern Lower Peninsula are Pilgrim Haven Natural Area, Deerlick Creek Park, and Pier Cove Park. Three miles of sandy Lake Huron beach makes this a popular getaway in eastern Michigan, offering ample opportunities for waterfront camping, paddling, fishing, swimming and boating. The park also features 70 campsites. All rights reserved. Located some 25 miles southeast of Marquette, the Laughing Whitefish Falls can be seen by means of three observation decks. Hikers on certain Lake Huron beaches, as well as along the states Lake Michigan shore, may come across a geologic treasure: the Petoskey stone, which is actually the fossilized remains of colonial corals that existed 350 million years ago in the tropical seaways that sloshed over present-day Michigan during the Devonian Period. Find cross-country ski, ice fishing , snowmobiling info and much more. Because of the regions high iron concentration, they have deep reds and burned oranges. Considered by many, Hemingway included, one of the prettiest streams to fish in the state, many know about it for another reason; rock hunting. Park your camper right on the sand to enjoy the beach from sunup to sundown. Where to stay in Silver Lake Sand Dunes area. Located just south of St. Joseph, Grand Mere State Park offers 1,000 acres of undeveloped Lake Michigan forest and sand dunes as well as a one-mile stretch of sugar-sand beach. In 1921, P. H. Hoeft State Park opened, and it has been a popular place to hike, camp, and rock hunt ever since. Labor Day Weekend 4-day (2 full days) itinerary ideas. Craig Lakes six inland lakes are especially popular with anglers for their large populations of muskellunge, bass and walleye. The southeast corner of Michigan is probably the worst region for rock hunting in the state, but that does not mean it is devoid of beaches to prowl. This awesome park contains limestone formations and an old limestone quarry that you just NEED to check out!. Its also before the beaches get busy. A wide variety of rocks and minerals can be found including Petoskey Stones, Chlorastrolite, Agate, Chalcedony, and copper minerals. Our favorite rock beaches in the Northwestern Lower Peninsula are Peterson Park and Christmas Cove Beach for fossils, Vans Beach for Leland Blue, and Point Betsie Lighthouse for Frankfort Green. Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below: . We found so many fossils that we had to decide which ones to keep and which ones to toss back. Petoskey stones have become a favorite find for rockhounds who have researched their unique properties and seek to add them to their personal collection. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. In spite of its name, the park comprises only one lake, a body of water created by joining seven smaller lakes by means of a dam. Petosky stone is a fossil rock made up of the remnants of the rugose coral Hexagonaria percarinata. The Charlevoix stones smaller corallites are generally lighter or white in color. Share your photos with us on our. Both of the latter are slag, the byproduct of smelting ores that can be found near their namesake towns. More than a billion years ago whenNorth Americabegan splitting apart, the earth began pouring out massive, iron-rich lava flows, according to theDepartment of Natural Resources. The stone is most often pebble-shaped and may be found in either a rough state inland or smooth state along shorelines of certain lakes. We have heard it can get a little more crowded during the peak summer weeks, but we enjoyed swimming, finding a handful of stones to take home, and eating lunch here. Wind-swept sand dunes and billowing dune grasses lead the way to the iconic black-and-white-striped Big Sable Point Lighthouse, standing sentinel over the water. After viewing the falls from the parks observation decks, explore some of the 40 miles of beautiful hiking trails traversing a dense forest with rippling streams, wildflowers and stairways of gnarled tree roots and rock ledges. These glowing stones can be found on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula . There are four types of corals and only two are still alive today. The park features 62 campsites and two overlooks with views all the way to Lake Superior. USE THE BUTTON ABOVE TO VISIT THE ORV HOMEPAGE or go directly to you area of interest below: Information on DNR shooting and archery ranges, rules and regulations, resources to get started and more. Go with a friend! 2. Between the crashing waves of Lake Superior and the fish-laden waters of Muskallonge Lake in Michigans Upper Peninsula sits a state park that offers the best of two worlds. A network of hiking trails crisscrosses this undeveloped duneland near Saugatuck, through towering white pines, past patches of pink ladys slippers, and over ancient dunes en route to the shore. Leelanau State Park has over 50 rustic campsites and is one of the most quaint campgrounds we stayed at to date. Thank you! Visit the park for expansive views of Lake Michigan, quiet walks beneath hardwood trees, the Grand Traverse Lighthouse and Museum and camping. If youre already way up there, you might as well stop by Tahquamenon Falls, Newberry, and the Mouth of the Two Hearted River. The video tutorials are very helpful in understanding how to use the Mi-HUNT application. These polyps form the fossils well-known honeycomb pattern. Although the water is accessible to all campers, 14 sites touch the lake. Petoskey stones are fossilized colonial coral stones. They flourished mostly during the Silurian era, which lasted up to 425 million years ago! The campground at Lakeport State Park has 250 sites, multiple playgrounds, a camp store, and, most importantly, access to Lake Huron. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-90245708', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Petoskey stones here. A one-mile shoreline on the banks of Cass Lake provides opportunities for fishing, picnicking, swimming, boating and cross-country skiing. Upon both of our visits to Hoeft, we were the only ones scanning the beach. Although this next spot might not be as remote as the Mouth of the Two Hearted River, it sure can feel like it while youre there. For more reading, check out our Rock Hunting Guide! 166 campsites access the beach below via a wooden staircase, and the park sits adjacent to a network of self-guided lakeshore hiking trails. 888-784-7328, Yooperlite | Photo Courtesy of Scott Castelein, Florescent sodalite lights up under UV light | Photo Courtesy of Scott Castelein, Hunting under the Milky Way | Photo Courtesy of Scott Castelein, Hunting for Yooperlite at sunset | Photo Courtesy of Scott Castelein, Yooperlite at night under UV light | Photo Courtesy of Scott Castelein, Bring Your Best Friend on These Pet Friendly Vacations in Michigan. The southeast corner of Michigan is probably the worst region for rock hunting in the state, but that does not mean it is devoid of beaches to prowl. 5. These corals lived in warm shallow seas that covered Michigan about 350 million years ago, according to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. But Tawas Point State Park is especially popular for its lighthouse, a red and white beauty and the only true Victorian-era light station on the Great Lakes. And have a little modern-day fun on a 50-foot climbing tower, a zipline and a forest canopy bridge. Those who navigate the terrain west of Ishpeming discover 7,000 heavily wooded acres, home to beaver, black bear, deer and moose. They'recomposedof a white quartzite matrix with sharply contrasting red and brown jasper pebbles. The glittering glass and steel towers of downtown Detroit surround a surprisingly quiet oasis of green at William G. Milliken State Park, one of Michigans newest state parks. Most of the parks 127 campsites are on or within easy walking distance of the lake, which sits just 30 miles south of Lake Superior and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. These seemingly normal, gray rocks are rich with fluorescent sodalite and glow a vibrant orange and yellow under a UV light. We're located near the three major rockhounding trailheads around Lake Superior, meaning an entire weekend of rock collecting can be in your future. Find a stretch of Lake Michigan beach that is uncrowded and somewhat rocky. We are planning a brief vacation (mid-June) and would appreciate any suggestions on places to rock hound. Rock Hunting Lake Huron Lake Huron is not only one of the most beautiful of the Great Lakes, but it is also the second-largest of the Great Lakes. 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