Rock hound pastime

[pa_traveler]

Just started tumbling rough agates that were purchased. Wife found beach glass that she wants to make into jewelry,so as I researched it I found rock tumbling sites.Anyway im finding it interesting,next step is to find my own agates ect. Any suggestions where to hunt them in the states,dig sites,desert ect. Seems like you could turn hiking into looking for gemstones.

[Parrothead_Mike]

In Michigan's Upper Peninsula you'll find plenty of rock hunting, especially agates. We camped at Woodland Park in Grand Marais, MI and the beach had all the rocks you'd ever want. Plus the campground was on a short bluff right above the beach. It's water & electric only and they don't take reservations, but we were there in mid-July and had no problem with a campsite. Weekends can be a different matter though.

You can get to the campground website through RV Park Reviews.com.

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/michigan/grand-marais

Info on Grand Marais.

http://www.grandmaraismichigan.com/beaches-and-swimming.php

Info on Lake Superior Agate Festival.

http://www.superiortrails.com/rock-agate-festival.html

Info on other agate beaches in the U.P.

http://www.superiortrails.com/agate-beaches-upper-peninsula.html

Now, that's a lot of info on places to hunt for agates and more. The U.P. is a wonderful place to visit, especially along the Lake Superior shoreline. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore isn't far west of Grand Marais in Munising. There's plenty of campgrounds throughout the U.P. The black flies can be bothersome, especially in the early summer. Even in the height of summer tourist season you'll find plenty of campsites available. Enjoy!

[Artum_Snowbird]

We found a beach once in California that we stopped at.. Both of us went and found so many agates along the tide line.. can't quite remember where it was, but it sure was fun.

[donn0128]

Sun stones, pick them up for free in SE Oregon.
Obsedion free collection areas in North eastern California.