The Lake Michigan shoreline near Escanaba offers a quiet and often overlooked opportunity for rockhounding in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. While not as famous as sites along Lake Superior, this stretch of coast has a unique mix of fossils, glacial stones and wave-worn artifacts that reward collectors.

What to Look For on the Shore

The region’s geologic past has left behind a variety of fossils from an ancient ocean that once covered this part of Michigan. It’s common to spot crinoids, which look like tiny discs with holes in the center and are remnants of prehistoric sea lilies. Favosites, often called honeycomb coral, have a tighter, more intricate pattern and stand out when wet. Rugosa corals, shaped like little horns, are also scattered throughout local limestone beds and shoreline deposits.

You might also spot the occasional Petoskey Stone. When wet, their unique hexagonal pattern becomes unmistakable.

Septarian nodules are another eye-catching find. Known locally as lightning stones or turtle stones, they formed millions of years ago when mud cracked and filled with lighter color minerals. This leaves bold patterns that resemble spider webs or lightning bolt-like streaks. Pieces of banded sandstone are also common and often show soft tones of red, tan and gray. And if you're lucky, you might even spot an agate! These semi-precious stones, frequently banded in red, white or gray, are prized for their layered beauty.

One favorite among shoreline hunters is rocks with natural holes. Sometimes called hag stones, adder stones or witch stones, these perforated rocks are steeped in folklore. In many cultures, they were believed to hold magical or protective powers, and they’re often referred to as lucky stones. Whether or not you believe in their mystical past, they’re undeniably unique and make for fascinating keepsakes.

These are just a few of the many types of rocks and fossils you might come across, but part of the fun is finding what speaks to you. Rockhounding is all about personal preference. You may love collecting fossil imprints, others seek out colorful agates or unusual mineral shapes. Everyone has their favorite colors, textures and sizes, and there's no wrong way to enjoy the search.

Don’t Overlook the Man-Made Finds

Some of the most colorful and polished “gems” you’ll find on the shore are the result of human activity. Beach glass made from smoothed shards of old bottles, jugs and windows glistens along Escanaba’s beaches. These pieces were once sharp, discarded glass, tumbled for decades by Lake Michigan’s waves and sand until their edges softened and their surfaces turned frosty. 

Beach glass is similar to sea glass but forms in freshwater. It often carries subtle hints of its origin, such as embossed letters or old bottle textures. Most of what you’ll find is white, brown or pale blue — remnants of common jars and beverage bottles, but rarer colors like cobalt, purple or red occasionally appear and are prized by collectors.

You might also stumble upon slag, a shiny byproduct from 19th-century smelting. This material, once discarded as industrial waste, is now a collector’s favorite with its distinct blue or green color and marbled, glass-like finish.

Where to Go Rockhounding Near Escanaba

Many of the beaches in the Escanaba area are primarily sandy, making them great for swimming and walking. But even in these softer shorelines, you can still find gravel and stony patches where fossils, agates and beach glass tend to collect. A prime time to hunt is after storms or seasonal water shifts.

Start with Gladstone Beach, a nine-mile drive north of Escanaba on Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc. Its long, fluctuating stony stretches often offer crinoids, fossiliferous limestone and well-tumbled beach glass. The waterfront at Ludington Park in Escanaba is another potential option, especially right after a windstorm. While it’s a more manicured public area, the shoreline often reveals new stones after strong waves.

For a more secluded spot, head to Portage Point just south of Escanaba. This less-visited beach offers a more natural shoreline and a better chance of finding unique rocks undisturbed by heavy foot traffic.

The Stonington Peninsula also provides excellent shoreline access. One of the most rewarding stops is the beach at Peninsula Point Lighthouse. While the lighthouse is best known as a fall monarch butterfly migration stop, the beach below it is a lesser-known rockhounding location. The shoreline is a mix of stones and drift, and patient searchers may find fossil fragments, wave-worn sandstone and even the occasional beach glass.

Fayette Historic State Park, located on the Garden Peninsula, is one of the most geologically and historically significant sites in the region. The shoreline here is rich in limestone and sandstone, and the area is known for its visible marine fossils and striking rock formations. However, because Fayette is a designated historic site, removing anything from the park, including stones, fossils or slag, is strictly prohibited. While you can’t collect here, it’s still a must-visit destination for observing geological features, learning about the region’s iron smelting past and enjoying some of the most scenic views on Lake Michigan. Bring a camera to document your finds.

With so many miles of shoreline to explore throughout the Escanaba area and beyond, you’re sure to discover something intriguing — whether it’s a fossil from a prehistoric sea or a piece of glass shaped by the massive rock tumbler that is Lake Michigan.

Know the Rules Before You Collect

Rock collecting in Michigan is legal in most places, but there are important restrictions, especially in parks and protected areas. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, individuals are allowed to collect up to 25 pounds of rocks, minerals or fossils per person per year on state-owned lands that aren’t designated as protected or scientific.

However, it is illegal to remove stones, beach glass or driftwood from National Shorelines, including federally protected areas. You should also avoid digging with tools in any public area; only surface collecting is permitted unless otherwise posted. On private property, always get permission from the landowner. And if you come across a specimen that appears scientifically significant, consider leaving it or reporting it to a local museum or university.

DNR State Land Rules

When and How to Search

The best time to search for rocks, fossils and beach glass is after a storm or strong winds. Wave action stirs up the lakebed and pushes fresh material onto the shore, often uncovering stones that may have never been seen before. Rain is also helpful — wet rocks have richer color and sharper contrast, making fossils, patterns and mineral streaks much easier to spot. If you’re heading out on a dry day, bring a spray bottle of water to mist interesting stones and reveal their true markings before deciding what to keep.

Fall and spring are the most rewarding seasons. These transitional months bring more frequent wind events, cooler temperatures and fewer people, giving you more space and better chances of finding undisturbed material. Early mornings can also give you a leg up. You’ll often be the first person on the beach after the lake has reshaped the shoreline overnight.

Stick to natural, unmanaged stretches of shoreline whenever possible. Groomed or raked public beaches often have less stone to sift through, as rocks are pushed aside or removed entirely. Instead, look for pockets of gravel or stony outcroppings along the waterline or near river mouths, where material naturally collects.

A small bucket, mesh bag or even a canvas pouch makes it easy to carry your finds while keeping your hands free.

Explore More While You’re There

Escanaba is a comfortable place to unwind, recharge and explore at your own pace. Visit the Sand Point Lighthouse or the Delta County Historical Museum for a deeper look at the area's heritage, then enjoy a meal or browse the shops in the walkable downtown area.

Its central location makes day trips easy. To the west, Iron Mountain offers insight into the Upper Peninsula’s mining history and geologic past. Or driving north brings you to the rocky beaches of Marquette, Munising and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore where Lake Superior’s powerful shoreline reveals a whole new set of stones and fossils.

With so much variety close by, Escanaba makes a great base for exploring the many natural treasures of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. To enjoy a restful stay, reserve a room at one of our many lodgings with the rates and amenities that fit your travel budget. We hope to see you along our rock-strewn shores soon!

Book Your Stay