West Side County Park: Rockhounding in Allegan County, Michigan

Updated August 2026

West Side County Park is a mapped rockhounding spot in Allegan County, Michigan. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Check locally
County: Allegan County
State: Michigan
Coordinates: 42.57393, -86.23014

Geology at West Side County Park

This spot sits on Coldwater Shale, mapped as shale that formed roughly 360 to 325 million years ago. Sedimentary rock like this erodes unevenly, so the most productive collecting is typically along fresh cuts, badland slopes, and active drainages.

Mapped unit: Coldwater Shale
Age: 360–325 Ma (Mississippian)
Rock types: shale
Elevation: 640 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit West Side County Park

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, S HAVEN station (12 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Confirm rules before collecting

Land status here is not confirmed. Verify with the managing agency before collecting — federal, state, and tribal rules differ.

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: April 1, 2026

Michigan DNR — Rockhounding rules
Michigan Geological Survey
Isle Royale National Park — Rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of West Side County Park.

Across the state line from West Side County Park

West Side County Park is close enough to the Michigan border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

West Side County Park FAQ

Where is West Side County Park?+

West Side County Park is in Allegan County, Michigan, at 42.57393, -86.23014.

What rocks and minerals can you find at West Side County Park?+

West Side County Park is on the rockhounding map but no minerals are listed in our reference. Open RockHoundR to see what other rockhounds have logged.

Is collecting allowed at West Side County Park?+

Confirm rules before collecting. Land status here is not confirmed. Verify with the managing agency before collecting — federal, state, and tribal rules differ. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to West Side County Park?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit West Side County Park?+

The most comfortable months at West Side County Park are March to November.

How do I get to West Side County Park?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.57393, -86.23014 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Michigan

See all 107 Michigan spots →

Open West Side County Park on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.