Michigan Rock Hunting Has Rules—Here’s What You Need to Know

Are you someone who sees a cool rock and is immediately drawn to picking it up, keeping it and putting it on a shelf somewhere to admire? Then rock hounding in Michigan might be for you.

Rock Hunting in Michigan

Sure, gemstones are pretty, and all, but there's something about finding a cool rock and putting it in your pocket to keep forever.

Rock collecting is nothing new. "Nerds" have been collecting and tumbling rocks for years. Now, whether it's nerdy or not, lots of people hunt for rocks.

If you're going to set off in the Mitten State to do some rock hounding, there are some rules you'll want to know beforehand.

Yes, there are rules about rock collecting. There are rules about where you can hunt for rocks as well as how many you can collect.

Rock Hounding Laws in Michigan

Michigan Rockhounds let us know where it's okay to collect rocks:

• USDA-administered National Forests and Recreation Areas

• Private property with the express permission of the landowner

• State-owned land and property held in the

  public trust (State-owned lands mostly refer to state parks. Lands held in the public trust include the soil/sand/rocks beneath the waters of the Great Lakes and Michigan rivers up to the “Ordinary High Water Mark” as defined by the Army Corps of Engineers.)

• Most municipal parks and beaches (some have signage stipulating otherwise)

This means you can't go collecting in National Parks or Lakeshores, private land without permission, and historical sites.

Also keep in mind that there are limits on how many rocks you can collect. Nationally, you're allowed to collect approximately 10 pounds from "USDA-administered National Forest and National Recreation lands." In Michigan, you get a little more leeway; you can collect up to 25 pounds of rocks.

Otherwise, rock hound away!

Oh, and if you're looking for things like sea glass, beach glass, or slag glass... collect away! Since these items are considered "trash", there's no limit on how much you can collect.

Happy hunting!