Rocky Gap Park: Petoskey Stone & Unakite Rockhounding in Berrien County, Michigan

Updated August 2026

Rocky Gap Park is a mapped rockhounding spot in Berrien County, Michigan. Reported finds include petoskey stone, unakite, quartz, crinoid, lightning stone, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Berrien County
State: Michigan
Postcode: 49022
Coordinates: 42.13436, -86.46603

Geology at Rocky Gap Park

This spot sits on Ellsworth Shale, mapped as shale that formed roughly 385 to 360 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: Ellsworth Shale
Age: 385–360 Ma (Late Devonian)
Rock types: shale
Elevation: 590 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 Rocky Gap Park

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 20°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, BENTON HARBOR AP station (2 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

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

Found at Rocky Gap Park

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Rocky Gap Park.

Across the state line from Rocky Gap Park

Rocky Gap 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.

Rocky Gap Park FAQ

Where is Rocky Gap Park?+

Rocky Gap Park is in Berrien County, Michigan, at 42.13436, -86.46603.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Rocky Gap Park?+

Rocky Gap Park is reported to produce Petoskey Stone, Unakite, Quartz, Crinoid, Lightning Stone, Charlevoix Stone, Horn Coral, Chain Coral, Syringopora, Brachiopod, Cladopora, Yooperlite.

Is collecting allowed at Rocky Gap Park?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Rocky Gap Park?+

A rock hammer, a small pry bar, gloves, and safety glasses cover most crystal ground. A screen helps in loose pocket soil, and newspaper protects points on the way out.

When is the best time to visit Rocky Gap Park?+

The most comfortable months at Rocky Gap Park are March to November.

How do I get to Rocky Gap Park?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.13436, -86.46603 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Michigan

See all 107 Michigan spots →

Open Rocky Gap Park on the map

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