Fisherman's Island State Park Shoreline
Charlevoix, Michigan
petoskey stonescharlevoix stonesfossil coralbeach agateschert
Public land, rules apply · Fee
Fisherman's Island State Park Shoreline
Fisherman's Island trades Petoskey's crowds for more than six miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shore, and the payoff is gravel that has not been combed by every visitor that week. Petoskey stones turn up alongside the tighter-celled Charlevoix stone, which fools people constantly until they compare the two side by side. The same statewide cap applies: 25 pounds per person per year from state land, total.
The card catalog
| What you can find | petoskey stones, charlevoix stones, fossil coral, beach agates, chert |
|---|---|
| Access | Public land, rules apply — Fee |
| Fees | No collecting fee. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry: $15 a year on a resident plate renewal ($29 for two years), or $42 annual / $12 daily on out-of-state plates, plus a $5 convenience fee if you buy outside a plate renewal. Rustic campsites cost extra. |
| Season & hours | Beach access year-round on foot, and the DNR calls the park popular with rock hounds in the fall. The rustic campground is closed from Sept. 15 through the end of the 2026 season for culvert replacement, so plan a day trip rather than a basecamp. Winter access is limited to whatever you are willing to walk. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Workable with kids, but the least-picked gravel is a walk south of the day-use parking — budget a mile or more each way and pack water. Driftwood and cobble underfoot, so sturdy shoes rather than flip-flops. |
| Official source | Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources — Recreation Passport |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Fisherman's Island State Park Shoreline cost?
No collecting fee. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry: $15 a year on a resident plate renewal ($29 for two years), or $42 annual / $12 daily on out-of-state plates, plus a $5 convenience fee if you buy outside a plate renewal. Rustic campsites cost extra. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Fisherman's Island State Park Shoreline open?
Beach access year-round on foot, and the DNR calls the park popular with rock hounds in the fall. The rustic campground is closed from Sept. 15 through the end of the 2026 season for culvert replacement, so plan a day trip rather than a basecamp. Winter access is limited to whatever you are willing to walk. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Fisherman's Island State Park Shoreline good for kids?
Yes — Fisherman's Island State Park Shoreline works for families. Workable with kids, but the least-picked gravel is a walk south of the day-use parking — budget a mile or more each way and pack water. Driftwood and cobble underfoot, so sturdy shoes rather than flip-flops.