Beachcombing on the Great Lakes

This page includes links to a variety of resources for folks who want to look for rocks and fossils on Great Lakes beaches.

Here are some resources about Lake Superior agates:

You may have found tiny agates like these at the Beachcomb the Great Lakes activity:

Go to these websites to learn more about Lake Superior agates:

• Beachcombing: Lake Superior Agate: https://www.beachcombingmagazine.com/blogs/news/lake-superior-agates
• Minnesota’s State Gem: The Lake Superior Agate: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/education/geology/digging/agate.html

Here are resources about Petoskey stones:

If you took home a pebble with a fossil coral, this photo may help you identify which type of fossil coral you now own:

To find a copy of the Fossils of Michigan poster displayed in our exhibit, go to the Great Lakes Rocks and Minerals Facebook group.

Go to these websites to learn more about Petoskey stones and other fossil corals:

• Rock & Gem Magazine: Petoskey Stones: Where & How to Find Them: https://www.rockngem.com/what-are-petoskey-stones/
• Where to Find Petoskey Stones in Michigan: https://www.michigan.org/article/trip-idea/where-find-petoskey-stones-michigan

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For a summary of the many sorts of natural objects found on Lake Michigan’s beaches, check out the Field Museum’s web page Beachgoer’s Guide to Lake Michigan Fossils and Rocks: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/blog/beachgoers-guide-lake-michigan-fossils-and-rocks  

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There are several Facebook groups to guide you as you hunt for rocks, fossils, and beach glass on Great Lakes beaches:

Great Lakes Rocks and Minerals is where collectors can go to identify, ask questions about, and brag about their beachcombing discoveries: https://www.facebook.com/groups/106675549490547

Great Lakes Rocks and Minerals Best Beaches includes discussions of where to go rock and fossil collecting on Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes: https://www.facebook.com/groups/353682946238542

Some Chicago beaches recommended on this page include 12th St. Beach just south of the Adler Planetarium, 18th street beach for glass and pottery, and Leone Beach near Lunt and Sheridan in Rogers Park for small fossils.

If you are willing and able to travel farther, Glencoe Beach and Zion Beach north of Chicago are also recommended. There are also lots of great beaches to collect rocks and fossils from the Wisconsin line up to Milwaukee and beyond.

Lake Michigan beach glass and rock collectors is another Facebook group that discusses where to go collecting:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/113895815908240

Michigan Rockhounds includes discussions of all sorts of Michigan geology, including but not restricted to beaches: https://www.facebook.com/groups/michiganrockhounds

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Michigan Rockhounds also has a website with a wide variety of resources about rock and fossil collecting in Michigan: https://www.michiganrockhounds.com/