Key Largo: Fossil Hunting in Monroe County, Florida

Updated June 2026

Key Largo is a mapped rockhounding spot in Monroe County, Florida. Reported finds include fossilized coral. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Monroe County
State: Florida
Nearest road: Hibiscus Lane
Postcode: 33037
Coordinates: 25.11010, -80.42284

Geology at Key Largo

This spot sits on Key Largo Limestone, mapped as limestone that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Limestone like this typically forms in ancient seas, so marine fossils such as brachiopods, corals, and crinoids tend to weather out of fresh exposures.

Mapped unit: Key Largo Limestone
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene)
Rock types: limestone
Elevation: 20 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Key Largo

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 76°F in winter to 90°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, JOHN PENNEKAMP SP station (7 mi away).

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 Key Largo

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

Fossilized Coral

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Key Largo.

Key Largo FAQ

Where is Key Largo?+

Key Largo is in Monroe County, Florida, at 25.11010, -80.42284. Nearest road: Hibiscus Lane.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Key Largo?+

Key Largo is reported to produce Fossilized Coral.

Is collecting allowed at Key Largo?+

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.

What tools should I bring to Key Largo?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Key Largo?+

Key Largo is workable year-round.

How do I get to Key Largo?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 25.11010, -80.42284 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Hibiscus Lane.

More rockhounding in Florida

See all 39 Florida spots →

Open Key Largo on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.