Sundling Park: Rockhounding in Manistee County, Michigan

Updated August 2026

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

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Manistee County
State: Michigan
Postcode: 49634
Coordinates: 44.20703, -86.36117

Geology at Sundling 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: 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 Sundling 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 (3 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

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Sundling Park.

Across the state line from Sundling Park

Sundling 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 · 59 mi away

Sundling Park FAQ

Where is Sundling Park?+

Sundling Park is in Manistee County, Michigan, at 44.20703, -86.36117.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Sundling Park?+

Sundling 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 Sundling 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 Sundling 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 Sundling Park?+

The most comfortable months at Sundling Park are April to November.

How do I get to Sundling Park?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.20703, -86.36117 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Michigan

See all 107 Michigan spots →

Open Sundling Park on the map

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