Petoskey stones are primarily found in northern Michigan, especially along the shores of Lake Michigan and Little Traverse Bay. The most popular locations include:
- Beaches along Lake Michigan from Traverse City to just north of Petoskey, including Petoskey State Park, Fisherman’s Island State Park, and Lake Michigan Beach Park in Charlevoix
- Inland locations such as cut roadbeds, gravel pits, farmer's fields, and rivers connected to these lakeshores like the Sturgeon River near Burt Lake
- Specific towns and areas known for Petoskey stones include Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Northport, Glen Arbor, and Empire in northern Michigan
- The stones can also be found in shallow waters of Lake Michigan, where ice movement during winter churns and exposes new stones each spring
Petoskey stones are unique fossilized corals (Hexagonaria percarinata) that are native to Michigan, making this the only place where genuine Petoskey stones are found
. In summary, the best places to find Petoskey stones are along the rocky beaches and shorelines of northern Michigan's Lake Michigan coast, particularly around Petoskey and Little Traverse Bay, as well as some inland sites nearby
