Cross Florida Barge Canal: Fossil Hunting in Putnam County, Florida

Updated June 2026

Cross Florida Barge Canal is a mapped rockhounding spot in Putnam County, Florida. Reported finds include fossils, silicified coral. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Putnam County
State: Florida
Coordinates: 29.55199, -81.71753

Geology at Cross Florida Barge Canal

This spot sits on Undifferentiated sediments, mapped as sand and clay that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Reworked sediments like these can carry fossils eroded from older beds upstream, typically as rolled bone fragments, teeth, and shell material.

Mapped unit: Undifferentiated sediments
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: sand and clay
Elevation: 30 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 Cross Florida Barge Canal

Best months: September to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 68°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 47°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, CRESCENT CITY station (15 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 Cross Florida Barge Canal

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 Cross Florida Barge Canal.

Cross Florida Barge Canal FAQ

Where is Cross Florida Barge Canal?+

Cross Florida Barge Canal is in Putnam County, Florida, at 29.55199, -81.71753.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Cross Florida Barge Canal?+

Cross Florida Barge Canal is reported to produce Fossils, Silicified Coral.

Is collecting allowed at Cross Florida Barge Canal?+

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 Cross Florida Barge Canal?+

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 Cross Florida Barge Canal?+

The most comfortable months at Cross Florida Barge Canal are September to June.

How do I get to Cross Florida Barge Canal?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 29.55199, -81.71753 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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Open Cross Florida Barge Canal on the map

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