Agate Beach

Looking at the north half of the crescent beach shows how much room strollers and rock hunters have to indulge their pleasures.

It's labeled Santa Monica Beach on maps, but everyone in the region calls it "Agate Beach," and indeed there are agates to find at the right times for those with the patience to spot them. But the rock-strewn edge of this vast, uncrowded, sandy crescent has more than agates. All kinds of colorful rocks are here. It's a visually splendid stretch—long views up and down of the beach and the forests behind.

The colorful rocks extend far into Lake Superior, which keeps pushing fresh ones onto the shore.

The Stanton Township Park up on the bluff has outhouses and picnic tables.

Take Misery Bay Road in Toivola 7 miles west from M-26. The final zig-zag path to the beach is well marked. It's a pleasant drive on a road paved until shortly before you reach the beach.

Return to Toivola