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Beach Rock Picking Agate Hunting
Black River Harbor Scenic Parkway

Black River Harbor Agate Beach
Lots of pretty rocks and a few agates can be found along the beach
of the Black River Scenic Recreation Area - Michigan Upper Peninsula

Black River Harbor's beach is one of our favorite Lake Superior Rock Hound beach. Lots of interesting rocks that make attractive gemstones for tumbling and there are a few agates to be found here as well. In fact this is where I found my first agate.

rainbow falls black river

The Scenic Rec Area also has a nicely laid out USDA Forest Service campground with sites suitable for RVs and Tents. Other attractions include hiking trails and five attractive waterfalls along the Black River National Scenic River. See some waterfall pictures and learn more about Black River Harbor camping and recreational attractions here.


suspension bridge

On the way to the Beach

You park at the picnic area parking lot and cross the river to the beach via the historic suspension bridge.

beach trail


The North Country Trail runs adjacent to the river and crosses the suspension bridge near the mouth of the river. The trail goes by the eastern side of Rainbow Falls before turning east towards Porcupine Mountains State Park.

Hunting for Agates on the Beach

Our spring rock hound trip was made the Monday following the 2018 Mother's Day weekend. Some snow was still piled along the beach against the hillside. In the pictures below you can see the 2018 winter ice deposited lots of trees on the beach; we hoped some agates were among the deposits!

beach agate hunting on the beach



agate find

Jo shows off one of her Agate finds

Agates we found

agate agate agate

Almost Agates or Agate Imposters we found

quartz chert granite gneiss

red triangleTwo years ago, also in May, we also found some agates (see our photos here) along the beach and recorded a waterfall video from our hike to Rainbow Falls

Books on Lake Superior Rocks and Agates

bzr

Understanding and Finding Agates
Lake Superior Rocks & Minerals: A Field Guide to the Lake Superior Area

Recommended by a SuperiorTrails friend & rock hound, this new guide has actual photographs of various rocks and minerals found on Lake Superior beaches. Co-author Bob Lynch is owner of Agate City Rocks and Gifts in Two Harbors Minnesota

Agate Hunting DVD
DVD: How to Find Agates

Karen Brzys. Director, Gitchee Gumee Agate & History Museum, has created this comprehensive tutorial to finding agates. Includes over 750 photographs and diagrams.

Lake Superior Rocks and Minerals

Lake Superior Rocks & Minerals Field Guide


This new edition by Dan and Bob Lynch will help you identify up to 75 rocks and minerals you might find washed up on Lake Superior beaches. Has full color photographs to aid in identification.

Lake Superior Rock Pickers GuideLake Superior Rock Picker's Guide

Here is another book recommended by a Superior Trails reader and rock hound who was able to identify over 50 rocks found on the beach using this guide by Kevin Gauthier and Bruce Mueller. Also included are tips for polishing the stones and rock. Kevin and Bruce also publish a similar guide for Lake Michigan rocks.

Agate Hunting on Lake Superior BeachesAgate Hunting Made Easy: How to Really Find Lake Superior Agates

My wife Jo found this agate hunters book while traveling in the UP and thought it would help her find her first Lake Superior Agate. It is full of tips for agate hunting (and rock picking) and has some very good color photographs of a number of agate variations as well as photos of the other kinds of rocks you'll find on Lake Superior beaches.

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rock pickers guide to lake superiors north shore Rock Pickers Guide to
Lake Superior's North Shore

Sparky's guide covers what north shore beaches to comb, a bit of history on the formation of the various rocks found on beaches, and helpful information and pictures on identifying beach rocks and minerals.

Agate IdentificationAgates of Lake Superior

See more recommendations on guides and books on Lake Superior Rocks, Minerals & Agates

 

 

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Helpful Links

red triangleOttawa National Forest Website - Info on Recreation & Camping

red triangleCamping and information on Black River Harbor Recreation Area

red triangleBest Agate & Rock Picking Beaches - Wisconsin & Western UP

SuperiorTrails.com - Reinhold Development - 2023

 

SuperiorTrails.com Mobile-Friendly Lake Superior Circle Tour Travel Planner

gooseberry falls park
Winter - Michigan UP
Winter - Wisconsin Winter - Minnesota
Winter - Sault Ste Marie.

Little Girls Point Campground
Best Upper Peninsula Campgrounds

bay furnace campground upper peninsula
Lake Superior Camping
& Campground Directory

Best Camping along Lake Superior.

Upper Tahquamenon FallsTahquamenon Falls State Park and Waterfalls.

Brockaway Mountain Fall Color By Ziming Zheng
Copper Harbor and Brockaway Mountain

Manabezho Falls
Presque Isle River Waterfalls

Wisconsin Outdoor Treasures Hiking Michigan's Upper Peninsula
See Eric Hansen's guide to hiking the Upper Peninsula and other guides for best hiking in the Upper Peninsula [More info]

miners castle on the pictured rocks cruise
Pictured Rocks Cruises

Upper Tahquamenon Falls
Michigan Upper Peninsula Waterfalls

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Travel Information



lake superior road map of the circle tour
Lake Superior Circle Tour Road Map & Guide to Travel Attractions around Lake Superior.


keith aliUP200 Sled Dog Race & Festival

Identifying Lake Superior Agates and Beach Rocks.Lake Superior Agate?

rainbow falls fall color black river harborBlack River Harbor
Scenic Byway - Fall Color.



Best Rock Picking and Agate Hunting Beaches in the Upper Peninsula. grand marais beach and grand sable dunes


Big Sand Bay Eagle Harbor, MI
Copper Harbor & Keweenaw Scenic Drive

Upper Tahquamenon Falls
Upper Tahquamenon Falls

Porcupine Mountains Lake of the CloudsPorcupine Mountains State Park was voted #2 Best State Park in the U.S.

WEATHER REPORT WEATHER REPORTS

Lake Superior Golf Course Reviews
See our Reviews of Michigan Upper Peninsula Golf Courses around Lake Superior.