Learn
Get to know rocks, minerals, and Lake Superior agates from people who've been walking these beaches for years. No question is too basic — we all started by picking up a pretty gray pebble.
Rockhounds of the Eastern Upper Peninsula
A friendly club for anyone who loves rocks, Lake Superior agates, and the lapidary arts. Based in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, meeting online and in person at select spots around the Eastern UP — like Whitefish Point, Muskallonge Lake State Park, and the Newberry area.
Who we are
The Eastern UP Rock Club is a rockhounding and lapidary club based in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, for anyone who loves Lake Superior agates, beach rocks, and turning rough stone into polished treasures. Most meetings are online, so members from anywhere can join.
We're a rock and mineral club for the Eastern Upper Peninsula — the stretch of shoreline that runs from Pictured Rocks out to Whitefish Point. Members hunt agates on the beach, swap finds, and help each other with the lapidary arts. Brand-new to it? Start with our Lake Superior agate guides, browse upcoming events, then join the club.
What we're about
Three simple reasons this club exists — and they all happen at the same time, usually while somebody's ankles are wet.
Connect
Make real friendships through a shared love of rocks and rockhounding. Half the fun is having someone to text when you finally find the good one.
Create
Support each other in the lapidary arts — tumbling, cutting, cabbing, and jewelry making. Members share tools, tips, and the occasional cautionary tale.
How we meet
Monthly
Online video meetings
Most of our meetings happen on a video call, so members can take part from anywhere — the Eastern UP, downstate, or out of state entirely.
Spring & Fall
Get-togethers around the Eastern UP
A late-spring gathering and a fall gathering at select spots around the Eastern UP — beaches by day, show-and-tell in the evening.
Summer
Road trip to Moose Lake
Our summer field trip heads to Moose Lake Agate Days in Minnesota and back — good digging, good vendors, and a long drive full of rock talk.
Club rules, kept simple
Four rules. That's the whole rulebook.
1. No politics.
We've all got opinions. Save them for the dinner table — here we talk rocks.
2. No discrimination of any kind.
Everybody is welcome on this beach. Full stop.
3. No drama.
Life's too short. Bring your best self and a bucket.
4. No complaining.
Rain, bugs, and empty buckets happen. Laugh it off and keep looking.
We exist for one reason — to have fun pursuing our enjoyment of rockhounding and the lapidary arts.
Why join?
Six good reasons to sign up for a rockhounding club on the Lake Superior shoreline.
- Learn how to find and identify Lake Superior agates — from beach reading to the telltale banding and waxy shine.
- Friendly online rock club meetings you can attend from anywhere, whether you're in the Eastern UP or three states away.
- Spring and fall in-person rock hunts at select spots around the Eastern UP, like Whitefish Point, Muskallonge Lake State Park, and the Newberry area.
- A summer road trip to Moose Lake Agate Days in Minnesota — one of the best agate shows and digs in the Midwest.
- Lapidary club help all the way through, from cutting and cabbing to tumbling and final polishing.
- Zero drama — just rocks and good people. Beginner rockhounds welcome, no experience required.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the club located?
We're based in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula, home to Lake Superior shoreline and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Our in-person get-togethers happen at select spots around the Eastern UP — like Whitefish Point, Muskallonge Lake State Park, and the Newberry area.
Do I have to live in the UP to join?
Not at all. Most of our meetings are online rock club meetings, so members from downstate Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or anywhere else can take part. Come up for the beach weekends whenever you can.
I'm a total beginner — is that okay?
Beginner rockhounds welcome, always. Plenty of our members started by picking up a pretty gray pebble. We'll teach you how to spot and identify Lake Superior agates, and nobody here will make you feel silly for asking.
How often do you meet?
Monthly online meetings, plus a late-spring and a fall get-together at select spots around the Eastern UP and a summer road trip to Moose Lake Agate Days in Minnesota.
What does membership cost?
We'll share dues details when you sign up — keeping it affordable is a priority.
What are the club rules?
Four of them: no politics, no discrimination of any kind, no drama, and no complaining. We exist to have fun pursuing rockhounding and the lapidary arts.
Come rockhounding with us
Total beginner or seasoned cutter, you're welcome here. Sign up and we'll be in touch with meeting details and dues info.