Unleash Your Inner Explorer: Discover Fossil Hunting Adventures at This Must-Visit State Park

Rockport State Recreation Area in Alpena, MI, is a rock hunter’s paradise. This state park offers a chance to dig into history with fossils from over 400 million years ago, dating back to the Devonian Period.

One of the park’s highlights is an abandoned 300-acre limestone quarry. Exploring this area is often described as “an expedition to remember.” It’s a perfect spot for both seasoned collectors and curious beginners.

If you’re keen to collect, Michigan law allows you to gather up to 25 pounds of rocks or fossils from public land each year for personal use. What can you do with your finds? People often use ancient fossils as unique display pieces, paperweights, or conversation starters on their coffee tables.

The Devonian Period, known as the “Age of Fishes,” was a time when the Earth was mostly covered by oceans. It’s fascinating to know these fossils predate dinosaurs and even the supercontinent Pangaea. You might come across various fossil types, including:

• Bryozoans: Tiny filter-feeding invertebrates.
• Corals
• Crinoids: Echinoderms that filter feed.
• Brachiopods: Shellfish with hard upper and lower surfaces.

Before you head out, make sure you’re prepared. Here’s a list of essentials for your rock hunting trip:

• A bucket for your finds
• Sturdy hiking shoes
• A camera to capture memories
• Snacks and water
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, and bug spray

Rockport State Recreation Area covers 4,237 acres along the scenic Lake Huron shoreline. Besides rock hunting, you can explore 20 miles of trails, enjoy stargazing in this designated Dark Sky Preserve, and visit remarkable natural features like sinkholes and historic sites.

The park also has facilities to enhance your visit, including boat launches, picnic areas, and vault toilets. It’s a versatile spot perfect for horseback riding, hiking, fishing, and various winter sports like snowmobiling and snowshoeing.

To find the quarry, follow the signs from either of the park’s two trailheads. You can start at the main parking lot on Old Grade Road or the Besser Natural Area parking lot along Grand Lake Road. Enjoy your adventure at this incredible state park!