Rockport State Recreation Area
A large undeveloped recreation area with a lot of things to explore!
Located on the shores of Lake Huron just north of Alpena, Rockport has over 4,237 acres of land and a breathtaking view of Lake Huron at the deep water port and pier. Rockport, with a mix of terrain, is the perfect spot with trails that go from rugged to smooth in this back-to-nature state park.
A boat launch is available, making Rockport fun to kayak and canoe, and it is a great place to access Lake Huron for fishing.
If fossils are your thing, then this is the place to be! "Paleo Joe" conducts fossil expeditions at the quarry. Come out and bring your rock hammer!
There are 13 sinkholes located at Rockport as a result of the Karst topography of the area. One of the sinkholes is over 100 feet deep and filled with water from an underground aquifer.
Visit www.friendsofrockport.org.
Site: Rockport accessed via Rockport Rd. off US 23-N is a decommissioned limestone quarry that offers a view of nature reclaiming her wild beauty. The 4,237-acre state park is located along the shore of Lake Huron. Fossil hunters will find abundant species scattered throughout the park. Other attractions include a deep-water boat launch, shipwrecks, and sinkholes. Visitors are advised to use a GPS or compass while exploring along the trails within the area.
Birding: Miles of undisturbed Lake Huron shoreline offer many viewing opportunities for migrating waterbirds. Over 100 species have been reported at the site.
Besser Natural Area is located off Grand Lake Road at the north end of Rockport Recreation Area and has a vault toilet. The site has virgin pines which offer nesting habitat to pine warbler, American redstart, as well as many similar birds. The one-mile hiking loop crosses many woodland habitats.
Boat Launch: Rockport State Park is a 4,237-acre (17.15 km2) state park located along the shore of Lake Huron in Alpena and Presque Isle counties in the state of Michigan. It is operated by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and was established in 2012. The park contains limestone formations and an old limestone quarry. There is a deep water boat launch that can accommodate all sizes of watercraft. The park is located along the Lake Huron Flyway and is used to gauge the health of Lake Huron and its shoreline environment. Several shipwrecks can be found offshore in the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, including the Portland and the Portsmouth.
Launch Type: Paved Boat Launching Ramp, Suitable Small Craft Landing Area (Kayak)
Beach Type: Concrete
Beach Approach: Beach not accessible
Launch Hazards: Commercial/Recreational Boat Traffic
Vehicle Parking: 10 spaces
Facilities/Services: Restrooms (Pit)
Notes: DNR Boat Launch - Rockport site is a popular Salmon fishing launch. During Salmon fishing season, boat traffic can be heavy. Much of the year, it is very quiet. Rockport was an old quarry abandoned several decades ago and is still a popular fossil-hunting site. Rockport property has several miles of undeveloped shoreline and unspoiled beaches. Paddle North to Middle Island, and False Presque Isle, or South to Misery Bay and North Point. Numerous bays and points, as well as shipwrecks, make this area a great place to explore.
Things to Do: Animal Viewing, Birding, Boating, Canoeing, Cross-Country Skiing, Fishing, Fossil Collecting, Freighter Watching, Geocaching, Geology, Hiking, Hunting, Horseback Riding, Kayaking, Kite Boarding, Picnicking, Plant Viewing, Scenic Viewing, Scuba Diving or Snorkeling, Snowshoeing, Wildlife Watching
Open: Fall, Spring, Summer; 8 AM to 10 PM; Restrooms Available
GPS: 45.20264, -83.38463
