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Peace River — Rockhounding in DeSoto County, Florida

Updated July 2026

The Peace River was a shark nursery during the Miocene and later ran through Ice Age Florida, so its gravel bars carry fossil shark teeth, including large megalodon teeth, alongside mammoth, mastodon, and other Pleistocene mammal fossils. The stretch near Arcadia and Zolfo Springs is the best known, reached from public boat ramps and canoe liveries. Fossil hunting is best in the dry season, October through April, when low water exposes the gravel. Reported finds include shark teeth, megalodon teeth, fossils, mammoth, mastodon. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Peace River photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Map showing Peace River in DeSoto County, Florida

Quick details

Access
Public area
State
Florida

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Peace River

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Peace River.

Peace River FAQ

Why is Peace River one of the best rockhounding spots in Florida?+
The Peace River was a shark nursery during the Miocene and later ran through Ice Age Florida, so its gravel bars carry fossil shark teeth, including large megalodon teeth, alongside mammoth, mastodon, and other Pleistocene mammal fossils. The stretch near Arcadia and Zolfo Springs is the best known, reached from public boat ramps and canoe liveries. Fossil hunting is best in the dry season, October through April, when low water exposes the gravel.
Where is Peace River?+
Peace River is in DeSoto County, Florida, at 27.21139, -81.85528.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Peace River?+
Peace River is reported to produce Shark Teeth, Megalodon Teeth, Fossils, Mammoth, Mastodon.
Is collecting allowed at Peace River?+
Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I get to Peace River?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 27.21139, -81.85528 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote — check road conditions before driving out.

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