Vermilion Point
Michigan
Find: Lake Superior Agates, magnetite, rhyolite, unakite, granites, white quartz, banded iron formation (BIF)
GPS: 46.76303, -85.15195
Nearest city: Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Recommended Vehicle: AWD, some clearance helpful.
Summary:
If you’re up for a long drive on gravel and sand roads, Vermilion Point is a surefire bet to reward you. Fantastic chances of finding a Lake Superior Agate await beyond over an hour of driving on seasonal roads from Grand Marais.
Even when visiting in late Summer, I found plenty of agates including the largest in my personal collection. The secluded nature of this spot means that you should prepare to be alone out here, although you’re likely to run into other rock enthusiasts in the parking area.
Appears In…
This spot is featured in this video. Check it out for the best visualization of what to expect from this rockhounding spot.
Here's what your drive in will look like
The shores at Vermilion Point are full of rocks tossed in by Winter storms
The waves here were negligible in late Summer, which was nice
It's a serene aqua-blue here underwater, with no spooky creatures to worry about bumping into. (Looking at you, jellyfish)
Me, learning that all fishing waders seem to be sized for a 320lb shotput athlete
Magnetite - with some awesome etching on its surface
Banded iron formation with some quartz faulting
A sweet Lake Superior Agate with some tubes running deep into its center
A Lake Superior Agate nodule
A tiny, but mighty agate with intense red coloration
This agate had magnetite on its underside, with big windows down its sides.
This agate had a lot of character. Big quartz dividers with broken/brecciated portions towards its inner parts
Magnetite again, a personal favorite. I think its an "evil looking" rock and I love it when it's got these big red oxidized patches
And lastly...
...Some more glamour shots