The Island with the Most Fossils in Michigan

When I was a kid I had a pretty decent collection of fossils...some were whole slabs of various shells and tiny marine creatures. Thanks to being mostly underwater for millions of years, the whole state of Michigan is chock-full of fossils...but there’s one place in our state where any serious fossil collector would have no trouble finding them: and that would be on Drummond Island.

Located on Drummond Island’s north shore is a vast area called the “Fossil Ledges”. Just about anywhere you step are fossilized salt water coral. The whole area has not been manipulated or changed by any human – it's all formed by Mother Nature.

This is not an easy area to get to...you’ll need a good off-road vehicle. Officials on the island will not encourage you to visits the Ledges unless you have the proper vehicle or mode of transportation.

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It is easy to rip your tires on the jagged rocks that lie on the unpaved gravel trails that lead to the site. Wide, deep holes can wreck your undercarriage as well. According to visitdrummondisland.com, “another great feature is the rock ledges, stair-stepping out into the water. Watch your children and pets: this water drops off to 69 feet.”

If you are serious about fossils, this is where you go. Kids and pets could easily get hurt, so you may want to make your first trip with just adults until you see the dangers that could await your small ones. Scroll down a way and see some of the fossils that were discovered here...

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