Lakeland: Chalcedony & Silicified Coral Rockhounding in Polk County, Florida

Updated June 2026

Lakeland is a mapped rockhounding spot in Polk County, Florida. Reported finds include chalcedony, silicified coral. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Polk County
State: Florida
Coordinates: 28.12354, -81.88686

Geology at Lakeland

This spot sits on Hawthorn Group, Peace River Formation, Bone Valley Member, mapped as sand, clay, and phosphorite that formed roughly 16 to 3 million years ago. Reworked sediments like these can carry fossils eroded from older beds upstream, typically as rolled bone fragments, teeth, and shell material.

Mapped unit: Hawthorn Group, Peace River Formation, Bone Valley Member
Age: 16–3 Ma (Middle Miocene to Pliocene)
Rock types: sand, clay, and phosphorite
Elevation: 160 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 Lakeland

Best months: October to May. Typical highs run 93°F in midsummer and 72°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 52°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, WINTER HAVEN GILBERT AP station (9 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 Lakeland

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 Lakeland.

Lakeland FAQ

Where is Lakeland?+

Lakeland is in Polk County, Florida, at 28.12354, -81.88686.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Lakeland?+

Lakeland is reported to produce Chalcedony, Silicified Coral.

Is collecting allowed at Lakeland?+

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 Lakeland?+

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 Lakeland?+

The most comfortable months at Lakeland are October to May.

How do I get to Lakeland?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 28.12354, -81.88686 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

More rockhounding in Florida

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Open Lakeland on the map

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