COVERT, Mich. (AP) — Rock collectors have been flocking to a state park in Covert that has seen broad expanses of stone because of high water levels.
MLive reports that Van Buren State Park is typically known for its massive dunes and sandy beaches, but now visitors are coming out in force this summer searching for everything from beach glass to fossils.
Albion College geology student Jennifer Nelson, who working at the park this summer, says whether beaches are sandy or rocky is determined by how much sand the lake’s tide consumes.
Nelson says fossils, granite and shiny, colorful stones have been particularly popular among young collectors. Adult collectors often look for Petoskey stones, which are somewhat rare but possible to find.
She says visitors are allowed to collect 25 pounds of rocks per year from state land.