Christmas Cove Beach: Petoskey Stone & Charlevoix Stone Rockhounding in Leelanau County, Michigan

Updated August 2026

Christmas Cove Beach is a mapped rockhounding spot in Leelanau County, Michigan. Reported finds include petoskey stone, charlevoix stone, stromatoporoid, fossils. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Leelanau County
State: Michigan
Postcode: 49674
Coordinates: 45.16889, -85.63268

Geology at Christmas Cove Beach

This spot sits on Traverse Group, mapped as limestone that formed roughly 395 to 385 million years ago. Limestone like this typically forms in ancient seas, so marine fossils such as brachiopods, corals, and crinoids tend to weather out of fresh exposures.

Mapped unit: Traverse Group
Age: 395–385 Ma (Middle Devonian)
Rock types: limestone
Elevation: 580 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 Christmas Cove Beach

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 76°F in midsummer and 29°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, NORTHPORT 2W station (3 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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 Christmas Cove Beach

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 Christmas Cove Beach.

Christmas Cove Beach FAQ

Where is Christmas Cove Beach?+

Christmas Cove Beach is in Leelanau County, Michigan, at 45.16889, -85.63268.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Christmas Cove Beach?+

Christmas Cove Beach is reported to produce Petoskey Stone, Charlevoix Stone, Stromatoporoid, Fossils.

Is collecting allowed at Christmas Cove Beach?+

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 Christmas Cove Beach?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Christmas Cove Beach?+

The most comfortable months at Christmas Cove Beach are April to November.

How do I get to Christmas Cove Beach?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 45.16889, -85.63268 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Michigan

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Open Christmas Cove Beach on the map

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