Rockhounding

Agate Hunting
Category: Rockhounding
Location: area-wide

Lake Superior agates are available on many rocky beaches of the Keweenaw's north shore. It is not too difficult to sift through stones and pebbles along the Lake Superior shoreline and find small agate chips. They are tranclucent and look like small pieces of caramel candy, or strata pieces beautifully lined in shades of brown, red, gray, black and white. They appear oily in contrast to other stones. The larger agate stones, which may later be polished and used as jewelry pieces or ornaments, are a little harder to find and may take some digging. Some of the more popular agate beaches include Misery Bay off M-26 near Toivola, McLain State Park on M-203 north of Hancock, Calumet Township Park off M-203 west of Calumet, Gratiot River Recreation Area off the Five Mile Point Road north of Ahmeek, Eagle Harbor Marina area, Copper Harbor and some areas around the Keweenaw Point. Remember, the areas you're searching may be someone's back yard ...please respect private property, use common sense, watch for signs and don't litter.
Greenstone Hunting
Category: Rockhounding
Location: area-wide

Chlorastrolite (greenstone) is our Michigan State Gem and can be found in northern Houghton and Keweenaw Counties. These elusive green nodules can be found primarily on the "poor rock" piles along Cliff Drive and at the Delaware and Mandan locations along US-41 in Keweenaw County. These cut and polish into beautiful gemstones. Remember, the areas you're searching may be someone's back yard ...please respect private property, use common sense, watch for signs and don't litter. (Photo courtesy of A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum and John Jaszczak)
Native Copper Hunting
Category: Rockhounding
Location: area-wide

Native copper in its pure metal form is the most sought after mineral of this fantastically mineral-rich peninsula. Varying quantities can be found in the waste rock piles of the historic mines. It is also found in a variety of soils and gravels which contain copper that was deposited by glacial movements. Rare silver specimens can sometimes be found. Metal detectors are very helpful, but not necessary, to find metallic prizes. Some of the more popular collecting sites include the old Mandan, Delaware, Central and Phoenix mine sites along US-41 in Keweenaw County and the old Cliff Mine site along Cliff Drive. Houghton County's Baltic area may also be a place to visit. The piles of waste, or "poor rock", near these sites may sometimes yield overlooked pieces of quartz, datolite or mohawkite. Remember, the areas you're searching may be someone's back yard ...please respect private property, use common sense, watch for signs and don't litter. (Photo courtesy of A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum and George Robinson)