Hunt For Fossils On The Beautiful And Easy Peace River In Florida
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.
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.
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.
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 after rainfall to visit the river as the high water levels make certain areas dangerous.
Professional rockhounders 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.
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.
Have you ever been on the Peace River Trail in Florida before? Share with us your experience in the comments section! Or if you’re looking for more information about this trail, including current hours of operation, then check out the AllTrails website.
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Address: Peace River Trail, 2348-2476 Mt Pisgah Rd, Fort Meade, FL 33841, USA
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A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.
