Rockport State Park
Rockport State Park
4.5
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
3 within 5 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
52 reviews
Excellent
28
Very good
15
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
0
Red
3 contributions
Jul 2021 • Friends
We went to Rockport for fossils and Petosky’s. We found them everywhere. We walked the trail to the quarry, then back to the limestone pile. That’s where we found Petosky’s everywhere. The water is crystal clear. Plenty of trail space for bikers and walkers. Thunder Bay is beautiful. There’s a large picnic area. A very large boat launch parking area. The Besser Natural Area was a beautiful 1.3 mile stroll with narrow walking trails. Online has directions and what to look for & they’re very accurate. We all enjoyed Rockport State Park.
Written 13 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rdsm77
Tucson, AZ392 contributions
Jul 2021
Rockport State Park was probably the weirdest state park I've ever been to. A good weird though. It is the site of an old quarry with a giant pile of rocks to climb. The information boards are about bats which apparently live in a smaller rock pile behind the giant rock pile. If there are actual hiking trails, I didn't see any. If so they're not marked. Supposedly there are fossils. I picked up a few rocks but I don’t know if they have fossils. They looked like plain old rocks to me. The view of the lake is really nice from the top. There's a large old dock that people were enjoying and a number of picnic tables. I didn’t want to climb back up the rocks again to get back to the car and eventually found a dirt road to the west that led back to the picnic area.
Written 10 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol S
Kalamazoo, MI335 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
One of Michigan's newest state parks, Rockport is primarily a decommissioned gravel mine that offers a view of nature reclaiming her wild beauty. At the entrance, picnic tables and an old jetty out into Lake Huron greet you, but what catches your attention is the enormous pile of rocks in the distance. Go ahead, climb up! Incredible vistas of lake and forest unfold. And if you look west, you can se the old gravel pit, which stretches out unimaginably huge.
Pick your way down the rock pile, through the cedars and down into the pit, where treasures await. Look down. Millions of hexagonaria, or raw Petosky stones, are yours for the picking. Baseball-size specimens litter the ground, in ridges created by the mining big rigs. If you like rocks, this is your Heaven! Walk - or as we did, ride your mountain bikes - to the far north edge of the mine, where you can run around like a billy goat on the edge of the pit, finding fossil after fossil, each one better than the last.
Want more? Hike or bike north, following the rough and rocky trail through a variety of forests, including a stunning stand of white birch. Wind your way north and east, and you'll find another of Rockport's features, the amazing sink holes. Some dry, some with water, but all amazing. Swim if you dare. It was spooky and delightful.
Rockport is still in development, so it is still raw and rugged, making it a truly unique experience. As a family that looks for adventures on the Great Lakes, it's one of our very favorite spots.
Pick your way down the rock pile, through the cedars and down into the pit, where treasures await. Look down. Millions of hexagonaria, or raw Petosky stones, are yours for the picking. Baseball-size specimens litter the ground, in ridges created by the mining big rigs. If you like rocks, this is your Heaven! Walk - or as we did, ride your mountain bikes - to the far north edge of the mine, where you can run around like a billy goat on the edge of the pit, finding fossil after fossil, each one better than the last.
Want more? Hike or bike north, following the rough and rocky trail through a variety of forests, including a stunning stand of white birch. Wind your way north and east, and you'll find another of Rockport's features, the amazing sink holes. Some dry, some with water, but all amazing. Swim if you dare. It was spooky and delightful.
Rockport is still in development, so it is still raw and rugged, making it a truly unique experience. As a family that looks for adventures on the Great Lakes, it's one of our very favorite spots.
Written 16 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bcs488
Grand Rapids, MI259 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
I stopped in on a warm July Sunday afternoon to check this place out. Sat at one of several picnic tables and had a snack upon arrival, noticed there is one restroom available at the pier location. Did not check out the boat launch area which is a short distance away. This is a good launch site for boaters, and I was not surprised that there were a number of people swimming and snorkeling around the pier. I hiked up the rock pile and observed Middle Island, like to get out there sometime. Took a look at a grate protecting one of the bat tunnels. Nice to know these little guys have a good, secure home place. I had no map so wandered around a little bit and found my way to the quarry to check out the rocks. With little effort I found a couple fossil 'souvenirs' to keep as a reminder of a very unique sort of place. I'll be coming back here sometime and will wear appropriate footwear. Loose fitting shoes were not so good, particularly in the quarry. Hiking, or, hunting type boots, giving support and ankle protection, would be much better. As a reminder, you do need the Michigan State Park passport to use this place.
Written 24 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KMF
Ann Arbor, MI62 contributions
Sept 2017
My sister and I hiked from Rockport S.P. north to Besser Natural Preserve this afternoon. We left a vehicle at the Besser N.P. and were dropped off at Rockport and hiked from south to north along the trail closest to Lake Huron. Despite several other reviews, we found the park to be beautiful. We started at the parking lot in Rockport (where I photographed the trail map first) and climbed to the top of the tailing piles after looking at the bat caves and signage on the bats. The views from the top of the tailings were breathtaking. While the day was windy, it made for fantastic white caps that were crashing in on the shore. We could see Middle Island to the east and a number of freighters coming/going from the quarry north of the park. We then hit the trail in earnest with the understanding from previous reviews that trail signage was not always available. Things went very well for the most part and the hike was very enjoyable. We chose a day that was cooler (under 70 degrees) and a little overcast intentionally as we assumed we would be out in the open at some point (it was) and did not want to roast. There are a couple of opportunities to follow very short spurs off the main trail to get down to the beach, and we did so. There were miles of sandy beach where we were able to walk and allow our dog to swim and we also ate lunch at the beach (we brought it with us). From there we continued on to the end of the trail at Besser N.P. The hike was very enjoyable with the following exceptions: 1) there are low areas on the trail that were under water due to so much rain in the area this summer/recently. We were forced to leave the trail in a number of areas and go into the trees/brush to skirt around the areas that were underwater. I had my hiking stick with me which proved invaluable in helping me keep my balance while we were on slopes and uneven ground trying to keep our feet dry. 2) The previous posts about there being missing signage on the trail is correct. However, there were very easy to spot sign posts that had previously contained signage and still had the location number from the trail attached. This was good assurance that we were moving in the right direction. 3) The previous posts about there being limited cellphone service are correct, however; I was not out on the trail to use my cellphone for anything other than taking pictures. I did actually have service while we were down on the beach and was able to send a text. We made sure to let my brother-in-law know in advance where we were headed and gave him an estimated time of return, which is good practice anytime we go on a hike. With the following having been said, I highly recommend this trail for anyone looking for an easy hike in a peaceful area away from traffic. We did not see another person after we left the piles of tailings. There are many opportunities to rock hunt (we are avid rock hunters and found some great ones on the beach) and be one with nature, if that is what you are into. The trail primarily consisted of 2-wheel tracks which made it easy for my sister and I to walk side-by-side and the trail goes in/out of trees. Once we got on the trail that follows the power lines, we were out in the open. We did not go on any of the bike or equestrian trails but will on another visit so I cannot comment on the signage or conditions of those trails. We definitely saw areas that appeared to be depressions and might have been the sunken lakes alluded to on the State of Michigan's website. We spent about 3 hours on the trail, including walking on the beach and eating lunch. We were walking at an easy pace and not in a rush. I definitely will go back to Rockport as one could cross-country ski in the winter (snow permitting) and hike during other times of the year.
Written 19 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mischele K
15 contributions
Jul 2016
Great place for stargazing or seeing the Aurora. We went here to watch a meteor shower last year and were rewarded with GREAT views. I haven't been to the rest of the park but the old mooring site in the harbor was a great place to visit. The water is clear and you can see all the way to the bottom which is at least 30ft.
Written 3 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris H
Grand Rapids, MI2,029 contributions
Sept 2016 • Friends
Michigan's newest State Park.
To start out with Michigan apparently wasn't ready for this addition. They have had 3 years and are still working on maps and signs for the park. Sheesh!
That being said it is truly a beautiful spot for a state park. Great view of Thunder Bay. Crystal clear water. Lots of green trees.
Besides being a great place to see Thunder Bay they also have sink holes. Here's where the lack of signage and maps falls in to place. Finding the initial trail is hard because there is no sign marking it. However you start walking it and eventually you come to a temp lamenated sign saying sinkholes that way plus a note about sign being temporary and permanent signs are being worked on. No further info about distances. So we walked along a rocky path that seemed like it was on another world until eventually the path entered a forest. After walking for at least a mile but was more like 1.5 to 2 miles we came to another sign saying sink holes 1 mile that way. So we walked even further till we came to a pathway cross roads with another temp sign pointing 1 way for Quarry or another way for sinkholes. After walking a little further we saw 1 final sign saying sinkhole in half mile. That seemed much further than a half mile from the 1 mile sign. After having walked so far we kept going. Eventually just when we were about to give up and turn around we found the largest of the sinkholes which was filled in with Crystal clear water. It was very pretty but there was no way to get down a very steep hill to get a better look at it. Also no more signage. No info about sink holes. No directions to the other sinkholes which arent filled in so you can see them better, Nothing. So then the 2 to 3 mile hike back to the Parking lot. I barely made it.
4 to 6 miles round trip without any warning that is how far away the sink holes are. That's crazy. Also for the most part the trail is in good shape but for crying out lound would some benches kill you. You need a place to sit and rest.
The trail and sinkhole lake were pretty but not worth a walk that has become known as the Never-ending hike.
The park overall is a solid 4 stars. The hike maybe 2. However add benches and maybe 4 wheeler rentals along with better signs and maps and could easily be 4 stars. Heck maybe it might bump overall to 4 1/2 stars.
Rockport is worth a visit just beware what your getting into.
To start out with Michigan apparently wasn't ready for this addition. They have had 3 years and are still working on maps and signs for the park. Sheesh!
That being said it is truly a beautiful spot for a state park. Great view of Thunder Bay. Crystal clear water. Lots of green trees.
Besides being a great place to see Thunder Bay they also have sink holes. Here's where the lack of signage and maps falls in to place. Finding the initial trail is hard because there is no sign marking it. However you start walking it and eventually you come to a temp lamenated sign saying sinkholes that way plus a note about sign being temporary and permanent signs are being worked on. No further info about distances. So we walked along a rocky path that seemed like it was on another world until eventually the path entered a forest. After walking for at least a mile but was more like 1.5 to 2 miles we came to another sign saying sink holes 1 mile that way. So we walked even further till we came to a pathway cross roads with another temp sign pointing 1 way for Quarry or another way for sinkholes. After walking a little further we saw 1 final sign saying sinkhole in half mile. That seemed much further than a half mile from the 1 mile sign. After having walked so far we kept going. Eventually just when we were about to give up and turn around we found the largest of the sinkholes which was filled in with Crystal clear water. It was very pretty but there was no way to get down a very steep hill to get a better look at it. Also no more signage. No info about sink holes. No directions to the other sinkholes which arent filled in so you can see them better, Nothing. So then the 2 to 3 mile hike back to the Parking lot. I barely made it.
4 to 6 miles round trip without any warning that is how far away the sink holes are. That's crazy. Also for the most part the trail is in good shape but for crying out lound would some benches kill you. You need a place to sit and rest.
The trail and sinkhole lake were pretty but not worth a walk that has become known as the Never-ending hike.
The park overall is a solid 4 stars. The hike maybe 2. However add benches and maybe 4 wheeler rentals along with better signs and maps and could easily be 4 stars. Heck maybe it might bump overall to 4 1/2 stars.
Rockport is worth a visit just beware what your getting into.
Written 14 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jules I
18 contributions
Sept 2017
If you like fossils, this is the place for you!! Get your Devonian on here at Rockport!! Some areas of the park are a bit of a hike -- be sure to wear closed toe/closed heel sturdy shoes. Easy fossil finding for kids, too.
Written 12 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vwp11
Milan, MI304 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
I finally took a drive to Rockport to see what it was all about and I'm so glad I did. I can't wait to get back our there when I'm not alone so that I feel safe and sensible heading further out into the park.
This is an easily accessible but remote and largely unimproved park that provides a wealth of potential experiences depending on your interests. There is a big, modern boat launch perfect for heading out to troll Lake Huron for the big ones. You can also launch a couple kayaks (sea-variety if wavy) and paddle around shore, exploring the remnants of the old quarry pier. There are trails for hiking, biking, and equestrians. A quarry for fossil hunters. Sinkholes. Wildlife. A picnic area. Decent restroom "facilities". Just a hidden gem of a place for anyone who doesn't come out expecting tour guides, well-marked trails, extensive interpretive displays, or a tacky tourist gift shop and snacks. It's not a playground and if you venture very far from the parking lot, I suspect you better know where you're going and what you're doing. It would be very easy to get lost and get hurt with no one around for miles to help. This place has sprained ankle written all over it!
I spent most of my time on the pier, enjoying the play of Mother Nature and her beautiful aqua-blue waters against the industrial relics of the pier and the mining operations. There was a sense of lonely eeriness, spirits of an older time amongst the abandoned equipment strewn about the grounds and the decaying members of the old pier. The light plays on the water, which is clear down dozens of feet, and as the light changes, so too does the view and the personality of the place.
I can see spending a lot of time here in the future doing all the things this great park has to offer.
This is an easily accessible but remote and largely unimproved park that provides a wealth of potential experiences depending on your interests. There is a big, modern boat launch perfect for heading out to troll Lake Huron for the big ones. You can also launch a couple kayaks (sea-variety if wavy) and paddle around shore, exploring the remnants of the old quarry pier. There are trails for hiking, biking, and equestrians. A quarry for fossil hunters. Sinkholes. Wildlife. A picnic area. Decent restroom "facilities". Just a hidden gem of a place for anyone who doesn't come out expecting tour guides, well-marked trails, extensive interpretive displays, or a tacky tourist gift shop and snacks. It's not a playground and if you venture very far from the parking lot, I suspect you better know where you're going and what you're doing. It would be very easy to get lost and get hurt with no one around for miles to help. This place has sprained ankle written all over it!
I spent most of my time on the pier, enjoying the play of Mother Nature and her beautiful aqua-blue waters against the industrial relics of the pier and the mining operations. There was a sense of lonely eeriness, spirits of an older time amongst the abandoned equipment strewn about the grounds and the decaying members of the old pier. The light plays on the water, which is clear down dozens of feet, and as the light changes, so too does the view and the personality of the place.
I can see spending a lot of time here in the future doing all the things this great park has to offer.
Written 2 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fossilquest
1 contribution
Aug 2016 • Solo
Was really looking forward to the much talked about quarry and fossil hunting. No directional signs at entrance or on trails. Fell and needed medical care and assistance. Poor cellular service.
Written 1 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
I am planning a trip to Michigan I would like to see the Dark Park. Can you tell me if this is difficult to get to? Any key information that would help us. We are not big hikers but would like to do the stargazing and is it all that I have seen written on it. We are staying in middle Michigan and just want to drive up there to see the stars one night. Any suggestions, pointers.. will be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Written 20 October 2019
The park is about 5 miles north of Alpena, MI headed north. There is a sign in the right and you will drive down a very long dirt road that will make several turns. There is a nice parking lot and a dirt/concrete structure that juts into Lake Huron. Jackets, heavy pants, warm socks, a chair, hats, mittens, and a blanket this time of year would be in order as well as a flashlight so you don't hurt yourself. Have fun.
Written 20 October 2019
How is the stargazing? Any sort in particular? Really want to the the night sky in all its glory.
Written 12 September 2018
Rockport State Recreation Area has been designated a Michigan Dark Sky Preserve for it's wonderful view of the night sky. If you're looking for a fabulous place to view the night sky, this is one of the best! The park draws hundreds of visitors for their scheduled Meteors 'n' Smores event in mid August. This year was the best so far with a lot of early meteors to see as well as Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn and a sky full of stars. The Milky Way is wonderful to see from there. Be sure to bring a telescope if you have one!
Written 20 September 2018
We took our three dogs today on leash and cleaned up their messes. DNR didn’t have any issue with our dogs walking trails, being in the water, or on the site.
Written 25 July 2018
I'm gonna be riding my harley up along lake huron in a couple weeks.I'd like to be able to just set up my tent and sleeping at rockport.is this leagal?
Written 24 August 2016
There's no official campground there but I've camped anyway. Hiked up the two-track that parallels the shoreline and found some sandy beach area, which was a sweet campsite for tents and roughing it. Haven't logged onto TA for a while so I hope this isn't too late.
Written 20 October 2016
No official campground there, and a sign reads that the place is under video surveillance. I doubt it! There's no gate to keep you out either. I don't think I've read any "No Camping" signs there. Truth is, I've camped there. Follow the unmarked trails north. They pretty much parallel the shoreline and lead to a two-track if you're patient about looking for it. Hike (or bike, or what have you...can't get a car back there because of rocky blockades) the two-track for about a mile and find an offshoot to the shoreline and sandy beach. Nice tent spots in there! Private too.
Written 20 October 2016
Showing results 1-5 of 5
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing