You may have never heard the term “rockhounding” before, but it’s commonly used by outdoor enthusiasts and modern-day treasure hunters. Rockhounding is an exciting hobby for anyone adventuring through nature looking for gems, minerals, fossils, and the like. For instance, visiting the Fort Drum Crystal Mine to dig for crystals is exactly something somebody rockhounding would do. However, if you’re in search of other treasures, such as fossils and other unique minerals, we suggest checking out the easy-breeze Peace River Trail in Florida.

Note: Before digging or rockhounding, make sure you have all the necessary permits and permissions of the surrounding area.

One of the most rewarding places to hunt for fossils in Florida is the Peace River in Fort Meade.
AllTrails Lindell Austin
The 1.5-mile Peace River Trail passes through floodplain swamps, under large, shaded oak trees, and through a small slice of wilderness within the center of the state.
AllTrails Lindell Austin
The Peace River has been known to contain fossils from the Miocene to the early Pliocene era, not to mention Megalodon shark teeth, and more!
AllTrails Lindell Austin
What initially started back 50 million years ago with high sea levels leaving Florida submerged, eventually allowed fossils to erode from the banks and the bottom of the river.
AllTrails Lindell Austin
Most fossils found in the Peace River are done so using the sifting method where fossils are brought to the surface using a sifting mechanism.
AllTrails Lisa D

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Fossil Shark teeth are excluded from needing a permit and can simply wash ashore after a storm for those walking along the trail. It is recommended, however, to wait until after rainfall to visit the river as the high water levels make certain areas dangerous.
Madeline Begley/AllTrails
Professional rockhounds suggest fossil hunting from October through April, although you can fossil hunt year-round. The reason this window is suggested to hunt is that it’s considered “dry season” in Florida and the river will be at its lowest.
Flickr Bob Ives
Always remember, it is illegal to collect artifacts on public land, so anything you find that resembles pottery shards, arrowheads, and the like will need to be put back where it was found.
AllTrails Kick Larrabee
Head on over to The Peace River to see if you can hunt for fossils in this epic modern-day treasure hunt.
Flickr Florida Fish and Wildlife
Check out this interactive map to find the exact location
Google Maps

Check out this canoe tour of Peace River:

Anyone can obtain a fossil permit to fossil hunt within the Peace River. Simply submit an application for fossil permit hunting.

Have you ever been on the Peace River Trail in Florida before? Share with us your experience in the comments section! There’s also a canoe route in the area. Be sure to check AllTrails for any closures and updates. While you’re in the area, check out this lovely Amish Farmer’s Market near Fort Meade.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Beautiful Places in Florida

William Suphan | July 22, 2023

What are the most scenic hiking trails in Florida?

The most scenic hiking trails in Florida include:

  • Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail. This was once part of a railway line and is now a boardwalk trail through over 14 miles of wetlands.
  • Black Bear Wilderness Trail. This loop trail meanders through marshes, forests, and canals and there is a ton of wildlife.
  • Myakka River State Park Canopy Trail. Take a hike on a walkway up in the treetops in one of the state’s oldest parks.
  • Juniper Springs Trail. This is a short hike with stunning views and a crystal clear blue spring hidden in a subtropical forest.

 

Learn more about the most scenic hiking trails in Florida.   

What are some bucket list natural wonders in Florida?

Bucket list natural wonders in Florida include:

  • Ocala National Forest. There are over 600 rivers, lakes, and springs in these beautiful wetlands as well as the biggest sand pine scrub forest on earth.
  • Big Talbot Island. This island is an otherworldly place with branches reaching out of the pristine white sands.
  • Bowman’s Beach. This beach is a shell collector’s paradise as the beach is made up more of shells than sand.
  • Falling Waters State Park. There’s a spectacular waterfall here that plunges deep into the earth and where it flows is a mystery.

 

Discover more about these and other bucket list natural wonders in Florida. 

What are the best hidden gem natural areas in Florida?

The best hidden gem natural areas in Flordia include:

  • Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. There are several thousand tropical plant species here that are awe-inspiring.
  • Gasparilla Island State Park. This hidden getaway has several miles of pristine beaches and truly picturesque scenery.
  • Rainbow Springs State Park. This place is the definition of a tropical paradise with lush jungle foliage and beautiful waterfalls.
  • Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. Groves of oak trees are surrounded by flowers and these meet the incredible seashore.

Find out more about the best hidden gem natural areas in Florida. 

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Peace River Trail, 2348-2476 Mt Pisgah Rd, Fort Meade, FL 33841, USA