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Rockport State Recreation Area
4.7 ★★★★★ 340 Google reviews · Running trail in Alpena, Michigan · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 8 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Rockport State Recreation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park with trails and a rocky beach where visitors hunt for fossils such as Petoskey stones.
What runners say about Rockport State Recreation Area
“Beautiful family friendly park, great for a nice walk with amazing views and stunning greenery, incredible place for rockhounds as well as fossil hunters.”
“Well hidden gem close to Alpena, MI - not crowded and I hope it stays that way 🤞!”
“Beautiful family friendly park, great for a nice walk with amazing views and stunning greenery, incredible place for rockhounds as well as fossil hunters.”
Came here in hunt of fossils. And, we had tons of luck after spending an afternoon looking. Fossilized petosky stones we’re common along with small plant fossils. Brachiopods were common too, if you know what and where to look for them. The mountain of limestone is fun to climb, and run down.
Hands down one of the coolest spots in Michigan. Amazing for paddle boarding swimming (deep clear water), snorkeling, fishing, stone hunting. Views are amazing. Old stone mine with clearest water you can imagine. Nice hiking trails. Pick a warm sunny day and you will be in awe.
Rockport has it all! Beautiful family friendly park, great for a nice walk with amazing views and stunning greenery, incredible place for rockhounds as well as fossil hunters. In addition it can also be a wonderful place to stargaze and if you’re lucky, even view the Northern Lights!
I love it every time I go to this park. Rockport is a beautiful place with tons and tons and tons of rocks. It used to be a doc for the ships that carried the limestone. The current from Lake Huron has eroded the old port and now it is just a sightseeing adventure. This time I took my four grandkids with me.
Trail conditions & character
“Beautiful family friendly park, great for a nice walk with amazing views and stunning greenery, incredible place for rockhounds as well as fossil hunters.”
“They absolutely loved to climb the hills and go out on the old dock and look down into the very deep water, scaring their Nana to death.”
“Beginning bikers could make it out, but it was very rocky to get out to the sinkholes.”
“Well hidden gem close to Alpena, MI - not crowded and I hope it stays that way 🤞!”
Plan your run at Rockport State Recreation Area
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance8 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitemichigan.gov
- Phone+1 989-734-2543
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6:30 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 6:30 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 6:30 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 6:30 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 6:30 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 6:30 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 6:30 am–9 pm |
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