Collecting Rocks In Michigan? You’d Better Follow These Rules
I don't know what it is about the human species and that gremlin part of our brains that says, "Oh look, a shiny object", but I feel like that's a universal thing.
And I'm not talking just about the shiny baubles for sale in your local jewelry store. I'm talking about that really pretty rock that made you stop and decide to pick it up, take it home, and add it to a shelf with about two dozen other pretty rocks you've picked up during your travels.
Rock Collecting in Michigan
Rock Collecting is nothing new. Back in the day, it may have been considered "nerdy" to collect rocks and take them home to tumble and polish up, but no longer.
However, nerdy or not, there are some rules that everyone needs to follow in the state of Michigan when it comes to collecting rocks.
Rock Collecting Rules in Michigan
Yes, rules.
Before you pack up the car and head to the beach for your next collecting trip, here's what you need to know about the Do's and Don'ts of rock collecting. According to Michigan Rockhounds, here's where you can collect rocks:
USDA-administered National Forests and Recreation Areas
Private property with the express permission
of the landowner
State-owned land and property held in the
public trust (State-owned lands mostly refer to state parks. Lands held in the public trust include the soil/sand/rocks beneath the waters of the Great Lakes and Michigan rivers up to the “Ordinary High Water Mark” as defined by the Army Corp of Engineers.)
Most municipal parks and beaches (some have signage stipulating otherwise)
Places where you cannot collect rocks include National Parks or National Lakeshores, private land without permission from the owner, and historical sites.
Annual Limits for Rock Collecting in Michigan
Not only are there rules on WHERE you can collect rocks, but also on how MANY rocks you can collect.
Nationally, you can collect about 10 pounds annually from "USDA-administered National Forest and National Recreation lands".
In the state of Michigan, that limit goes up to 25 pounds. Now let's be clear... that's not 25 pounds from every location. That's 25 pounds per person, per year, in total.
Sea, Beach, and Slag Glass Collection
If you're out scouring for sea glass, beach glass, or slag glass while on your rock hunt, you'll be happy to know that those items are considered "trash", so there is no limit on how much you can collect.
Read Related: This Secret Beach in Fernville Hides a Treasure Trove of Lightning Stones
Now that you know the rules on rock collecting, good luck, and happy hunting!