Van Buren State Park: Yooperlite Rockhounding in Van Buren County, Michigan

Updated August 2026

Van Buren State Park is a mapped rockhounding spot in Van Buren County, Michigan. Reported finds include yooperlite. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Paid / fee dig
County: Van Buren County
State: Michigan
Postcode: 49090
Coordinates: 42.33456, -86.30060

Geology at Van Buren State Park

This spot sits on Coldwater Shale, mapped as shale that formed roughly 360 to 325 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: Coldwater Shale
Age: 360–325 Ma (Mississippian)
Rock types: shale
Elevation: 670 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 Van Buren State Park

Best months: March to November. Typical highs run 80°F in midsummer and 33°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 22°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, S HAVEN 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

Found at Van Buren State Park

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

Yooperlite Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Van Buren State Park.

Across the state line from Van Buren State Park

Van Buren 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.

Van Buren State Park FAQ

Where is Van Buren State Park?+

Van Buren State Park is in Van Buren County, Michigan, at 42.33456, -86.30060.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Van Buren State Park?+

Van Buren State Park is reported to produce Yooperlite.

Is collecting allowed at Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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 Van Buren State Park?+

The most comfortable months at Van Buren State Park are March to November.

How do I get to Van Buren State Park?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 42.33456, -86.30060 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Michigan

See all 107 Michigan spots →

Open Van Buren State Park on the map

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