Where to Find Fossils in Florida: 97 Mapped Sites
Florida has 97 documented sites where fossils have been reported, and the best-known are Pinellas & Hillsborough Beaches, Polk County Quarries, and Unnamed Area (Agatized Coral #2). Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 24 of the 97 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Fossils Map: Florida
All 97 fossils sites in Florida. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fossils Are Found in Florida
Fossils live in sedimentary rock — limestone, shale, and sandstone. Fresh exposures are everything: roadcuts, creek banks after storms, quarry spoil, and eroding badlands beat weathered outcrop every time.
The richest reported sites in Florida: Pinellas & Hillsborough Beaches, Polk County Quarries, Unnamed Area (Agatized Coral #2), Crystal River, Englewood Beach.
Local reporting distinguishes Agatized Coral (6 sites), Fossilized Coral (5 sites), Fossilized Ivory (4 sites), Silicified Coral (4 sites).
Of the 97 sites, 24 are public access and 1 is a paid dig site. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Fossils Sites in Florida
- Pinellas & Hillsborough Beaches — Public Access
- Polk County Quarries — Public Access
- Unnamed Area (Agatized Coral #2) — Public Access
- Crystal River — Public Access
- Englewood Beach — Public Access
- Fort Drum Crystal Mine — Paid Dig Site
- Gulf Beaches — Public Access
- Gulf Beaches (South) — Public Access
- Alachua County Quarries — Public Access
- Bradford County — Public Access
- Cross Florida Barge Canal — Public Access
- Flor-a-Mar — Public Access
- Jackson County Area — Public Access
- Lakeland — Public Access
- Marion County Quarries — Public Access
- Quincy Area — Public Access
- Sumter County Quarries — Public Access
- Unnamed Area (Agatized Coral #1) — Public Access
- Unnamed Area (Silicified Wood) — Public Access
- Abandoned limerock quarry, FL Highway 26 [Williston Limestone] — Other
- Allen's Farm — Other
- American Agricultural Chemical Company, Brodkorb Locality 1 — Other
- American Agricultural Chemical Company, Brodkorb Locality 2 — Other
- Ashville — Other
- Aspalaga Bluff, Apalachicola River, about 10 ft above river level — Other
- Aucilla River — Other
- Blue Springs — Other
- Bradon River — Other
- Brighton facies, Slough Ditch, about five miles east of Brighton — Other
- Brooksville 2 — Other
- Buckingham Member, Tamiami Formation (unspecified localities) — Other
- Cape Florida — Other
- CAS Loc. 578. Alum Bluff, Apalachicola River left bank, 3.5 miles N. of Bristow — Other
- Chattahoochee — Other
- Coffee Mill Hammock Mbr, Thompson Fm - Palm Beach County — Other
- Dickerson Limerock mines, Haile complex, Alachua County — Other
- Dry Tortugas — Other
- East bank of Apalachicola River along Florida Highway 1, Chattahoochee — Other
- Echinoid Bed at Old Chattahoochee Landing [Tampa Limestone] — Other
- Eichelberger Cave — Other
- Eureka Lock — Other
- FGS C-11 - Dunnellon Phosphate Minig Company pit [Inglis Limestone] — Other
- FL Coast — Other
- Gardinier Mine — Other
- Granada Site — Other
- Green Mound midden — Other
- Haile 7C — Other
- Haile V/XIXA — Other
- Inglis 1F — Other
- Jackson Ranger Station well (161 ft), Niceville [Choctawhatchee Fm] — Other
Showing 50 of 97 sites — every site appears on the map above.
How to Identify Fossils
Look for biological structure the rock around it lacks: shell curves and growth lines, the spongy honeycomb interior of bone, leaf veins, ribbed corals, or the segmented symmetry of a trilobite. Fossils usually contrast with their matrix in color or density. Bone that has mineralized feels heavier than fresh bone and often shows a polished brown-black surface.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find fossils in Florida?
Florida has 97 mapped sites where fossils have been reported. The best-known are Pinellas & Hillsborough Beaches, Polk County Quarries, and Unnamed Area (Agatized Coral #2). Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fossils sites are mapped in Florida?
We have 97 documented fossils sites in Florida, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fossils in Florida?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current land status before you dig.
How do I identify fossil?
Look for biological structure the rock around it lacks: shell curves and growth lines, the spongy honeycomb interior of bone, leaf veins, ribbed corals, or the segmented symmetry of a trilobite. Fossils usually contrast with their matrix in color or density. Bone that has mineralized feels heavier than fresh bone and often shows a polished brown-black surface.
What kinds of fossils are found in Florida?
Reports from Florida distinguish Agatized Coral (6 sites), Fossilized Coral (5 sites), Fossilized Ivory (4 sites), Silicified Coral (4 sites), Shark Teeth (3 sites).
What should I bring to collect fossils?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
More to Find in Florida
Data: Paleobiology Database, community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.