Orchard Beach State Park: Rockhounding in Manistee County, Michigan

Updated August 2026

Orchard Beach State Park is a mapped rockhounding spot in Manistee County, Michigan. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Paid / fee dig
County: Manistee County
State: Michigan
Coordinates: 44.28170, -86.31529

Geology at Orchard Beach State 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: 650 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 Orchard Beach State Park

Best months: April to November. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 30°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 19°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MANISTEE 3SE station (5 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Pay-to-dig site

This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out.

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 Orchard Beach State Park.

Across the state line from Orchard Beach State Park

Orchard Beach State 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.

Selner ParkKewaunee County, Wisconsin · 60 mi away

Orchard Beach State Park FAQ

Where is Orchard Beach State Park?+

Orchard Beach State Park is in Manistee County, Michigan, at 44.28170, -86.31529.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Orchard Beach State Park?+

Orchard Beach State 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 Orchard Beach State Park?+

Pay-to-dig site. This is a fee-dig location. Hours, prices, and what you can keep vary by operator. Call ahead before driving out. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Orchard Beach State 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 Orchard Beach State Park?+

The most comfortable months at Orchard Beach State Park are April to November.

How do I get to Orchard Beach State Park?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.28170, -86.31529 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Michigan

See all 107 Michigan spots →

Open Orchard Beach State Park on the map

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