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Manitou Island — Rockhounding in Keweenaw County, Michigan

The 93-acre Manitou Island Light Station Preserve, owned by the Keweenaw Land Trust off the tip of the Keweenaw, is one of the few outer-island shores expressly open to the public for rock collecting. Its rocky Lake Superior shoreline yields Lake Superior agates and includes a visible quartz vein. The land trust acquired the preserve from the federal government in 2004. Reported finds include lake superior agate, quartz. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Manitou Island photos

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

1 photo

Map showing Manitou Island in Keweenaw County, Michigan

Quick details

Access
Public area
Postcode
49918

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 Manitou Island

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 Manitou Island.

Manitou Island FAQ

Why is Manitou Island one of the best rockhounding spots in Michigan?+
The 93-acre Manitou Island Light Station Preserve, owned by the Keweenaw Land Trust off the tip of the Keweenaw, is one of the few outer-island shores expressly open to the public for rock collecting. Its rocky Lake Superior shoreline yields Lake Superior agates and includes a visible quartz vein. The land trust acquired the preserve from the federal government in 2004.
Where is Manitou Island?+
Manitou Island is in Keweenaw County, Michigan, at 47.41499, -87.62794.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Manitou Island?+
Manitou Island is reported to produce Lake Superior Agate, Quartz.
Is collecting allowed at Manitou Island?+
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 Manitou Island?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 47.41499, -87.62794 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote — check road conditions before driving out.

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