Turnip Rock – Port Austin, Michigan - Atlas Obscura

Turnip Rock

Turnip-shaped island just off the Michigan shore in Lake Huron. 

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Just off the Michigan shore in Lake Huron is Turnip Rock, a large turnip-shaped rock-island. The unique shape is the result of thousands of years of erosion by storm waves.

Twenty-foot-tall trees and other vegetation have grown at the top of the isolated rock. Just west of the rock is the “thumbnail” (or “tip of the thumb”) rock, which is the most northern point on the “thumb” of Michigan.

The surrounding land is privately owned, so visitors can only view the rock via boat or over the frozen lake in the winter.

Know Before You Go

During the weekends the number of paddlers can get quite large. If the area around the rock is crowded, consider paddling a few hundred yards past the rock to view the overhangs and cave features that border the Pointe Aux Barques community.

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