Withlacoochee River: Agatized Coral Rockhounding in Lowndes County, Georgia
Updated June 2026
The Withlacoochee River near the Florida line is one of the best remaining places in Georgia to find agatized coral, fossil coral colonies replaced by chalcedony. The material derives from the Oligocene Suwannee Limestone and is recovered from the riverbed and bank gravels of Lowndes County. With many Florida coral sites now closed, this stretch is a regionally significant locality. Reported finds include agatized coral. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Withlacoochee River photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Withlacoochee River in Lowndes County, Georgia
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Lowndes County
- State
- Georgia
- Coordinates
- 30.64140, -83.32008
Geology at Withlacoochee River
This spot sits on Hawthorn Formation, mapped as dolostone, sand, and clay that formed roughly 23 to 5 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 Formation
- Age
- 23–5 Ma (Miocene)
- Rock types
- dolostone, sand, and clay
- Elevation
- 100 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 Withlacoochee River
Best months: September to June. Typical highs run 92°F in midsummer and 63°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 39°F.
Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, VALDOSTA RGNL AP station (10 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 Withlacoochee 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 Withlacoochee River.
Across the state line from Withlacoochee River
Withlacoochee River is close enough to the Georgia border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
- Unnamed Area (Agatized Coral)Hamilton County, Florida · 31 mi awayAgatized Coral
- Suwannee RiverTop pick in FloridaHamilton County, Florida · 37 mi awayAgatized Coral
- Stephen Foster State ParkHamilton County, Florida · 39 mi awayAgatized Coral
- Suwannee River (North)Suwannee County, Florida · 50 mi awaySilicified Coral
- Unnamed Area (Silicified Wood)Gadsden County, Florida · 66 mi awaySilicified Wood, Fossils
- Quincy AreaTop pick in FloridaGadsden County, Florida · 74 mi awaySilicified Wood, Fossils
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