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Rockport Recreation Area — Rockhounding in Alpena County, Michigan

Rockport State Recreation Area opens a 300-acre former limestone quarry whose floor is scattered with Devonian fossils about 400 million years old, including Petoskey stones, Favosites honeycomb coral, brachiopods, and crinoids. It is one of the few Michigan state sites where the DNR openly invites visitors to keep up to 25 pounds of fossils per person each year. Pyrite also occurs in the quarry beds. Reported finds include petoskey stones, fossilized coral, brachiopods, crinoid stems, pyrite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Rockport Recreation Area photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Map showing Rockport Recreation Area in Alpena County, Michigan

Quick details

Access
Public area
Nearest road
Old Grade Road

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.

State guidance last verified:

Found at Rockport Recreation Area

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 Rockport Recreation Area.

Rockport Recreation Area FAQ

Why is Rockport Recreation Area one of the best rockhounding spots in Michigan?+
Rockport State Recreation Area opens a 300-acre former limestone quarry whose floor is scattered with Devonian fossils about 400 million years old, including Petoskey stones, Favosites honeycomb coral, brachiopods, and crinoids. It is one of the few Michigan state sites where the DNR openly invites visitors to keep up to 25 pounds of fossils per person each year. Pyrite also occurs in the quarry beds.
Where is Rockport Recreation Area?+
Rockport Recreation Area is in Alpena County, Michigan, at 45.20126, -83.39488. Nearest road: Old Grade Road.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Rockport Recreation Area?+
Rockport Recreation Area is reported to produce Petoskey Stones, Fossilized Coral, Brachiopods, Crinoid Stems, Pyrite.
Is collecting allowed at Rockport Recreation Area?+
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.
How do I get to Rockport Recreation Area?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 45.20126, -83.39488 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Old Grade Road.

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