Where to Find Chert in Michigan
Michigan has 23 mapped collecting spots that report chert, spread across 11 counties. The largest share sits in Leelanau County with 5 spots. 13 of the spots are on land mapped as publicly accessible, and 6 are fee-dig sites.
Spot list checked against source data on April 1, 2026.
Every chert spot we track in Michigan
Two Hearted River State Forest CampgroundLuce County, MichiganFee dig · Unakite, Epidote, Chert +16
Singing Bridge Public AccessArenac County, MichiganPublic access · Petoskey Stone, Charlevoix Stone, Gneiss +14- Hidden BeachLeelanau County, MichiganPublic access · Leland Blue, Petoskey Stone, Unakite +12
- Van's BeachLeelanau County, MichiganPublic access · Leland Blue, Petoskey Stone, Unakite +12
- Point Betsie LighthouseBenzie County, MichiganPublic access · Petoskey Stone, Chert, Chain Coral +10
- Crisp Point LighthouseLuce County, MichiganPublic access · Granite, Quartz, Chert +9
- McClain State ParkHoughton County, MichiganPermission required · Adularia, Chalcedony, Chert +8
- Muskallonge Lake State ParkLuce County, MichiganFee dig · Granite, Chert, Omar +7
- Pilgrim Haven Natural AreaVan Buren County, MichiganPublic access · Lightning Stone, Quartz, Unakite +7
- Frankfort Public Beach And PlaygroundBenzie County, MichiganCheck locally · Granite, Chert, Quartz +5
- Harrisville State ParkAlcona County, MichiganFee dig · Granite, Chert, Quartz +5
- Pier Cove ParkAllegan County, MichiganPublic access · Lightning Stone, Quartz, Unakite +5
- Wilcox-Palmer-Shaw PreserveAntrim County, MichiganPublic access · Chert, Quartz, Granite +5
- Hoeft State ParkPresque Isle County, MichiganFee dig · Puddingstone, Granite, Quartz +4
- Sturgeon Point LighthouseAlcona County, MichiganFee dig · Granite, Chert, Fossil +4
- Elk Rapids Day ParkAntrim County, MichiganPublic access · Petoskey Stone, Charlevoix Stone, Elk Blue +3
- Elk Rapids SandbarAntrim County, MichiganCheck locally · Petoskey Stone, Charlevoix Stone, Elk Blue +3
- Empire BeachLeelanau County, MichiganCheck locally · Petoskey Stone, Charlevoix Stone, Unakite +3
- Lake Superior State Forest CampgroundLuce County, MichiganFee dig · Granite, Unakite, Quartz +3
- Onomonee Road BeachLeelanau County, MichiganPublic access · Charlevoix Stone, Stromatolite, Stromatoporoid +3
- Vermilion PointChippewa County, MichiganPublic access · Omar, Chert, Granite +3
- Agate Beach ParkHoughton County, MichiganPublic access · Unakite, Chert, Quartz +2
- Peterson ParkLeelanau County, MichiganPublic access · Petoskey Stone, Chert, Unakite +1
Best counties for chert in Michigan
Ranked by the number of mapped chert spots. County links open the full rockhounding page for that county.
Before you go
Read the chert identification guide so you know what a keeper looks like in the field: Chert in the encyclopedia.
Chert in Michigan FAQ
Where can you find chert in Michigan?+
The mapped spots concentrate in Leelanau County, Luce County, and Antrim County. Every spot on this page is on the map, and each spot's own page has its coordinates and access notes.
How many chert spots are mapped in Michigan?+
23 spots across 11 counties. The RockHoundR app keeps the same spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, and your saved finds.
Is it legal to collect chert in Michigan?+
Hand collecting of common rocks and minerals in small amounts for personal use is generally allowed on BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are closed to collecting. 13 of the 23 mapped spots here sit on land marked public, and 6 are fee-dig operations where you pay for access and keep what you find. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before you dig.
Where else to find chert
More minerals to hunt in Michigan
Hunt chert in Michigan with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR puts these spots on an offline map with BLM and Forest Service overlays, geology layers, and a log for your finds.
