Maple Bay Natural Area Parking: Petoskey Stone & Charlevoix Stone Rockhounding in Grand Traverse County, Michigan

Updated August 2026

Maple Bay Natural Area Parking is a mapped rockhounding spot in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. Reported finds include petoskey stone, charlevoix stone, slag, beach glass. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Grand Traverse County
State: Michigan
Coordinates: 44.84649, -85.44701

Geology at Maple Bay Natural Area Parking

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: 630 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 Maple Bay Natural Area Parking

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 30°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 17°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, OLD MISSION 3SSW station (6 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 Maple Bay Natural Area Parking

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 Maple Bay Natural Area Parking.

Maple Bay Natural Area Parking FAQ

Where is Maple Bay Natural Area Parking?+

Maple Bay Natural Area Parking is in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, at 44.84649, -85.44701.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Maple Bay Natural Area Parking?+

Maple Bay Natural Area Parking is reported to produce Petoskey Stone, Charlevoix Stone, Slag, Beach Glass.

Is collecting allowed at Maple Bay Natural Area Parking?+

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 Maple Bay Natural Area Parking?+

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 Maple Bay Natural Area Parking?+

The most comfortable months at Maple Bay Natural Area Parking are April to November.

How do I get to Maple Bay Natural Area Parking?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.84649, -85.44701 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Michigan

See all 107 Michigan spots →

Open Maple Bay Natural Area Parking on the map

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