Fossils near Tampa, FL
13 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Tampa report fossil. The closest is Unnamed Area (Agatized Coral #2), about 5 miles out (6 min drive).
Fossil collecting spots cluster around exposed sedimentary rock: road cuts, creek banks, quarries, and badlands where erosion keeps bringing fresh material to the surface.
Map of 13 fossil collecting spots within 150 miles of Tampa, Florida
Closest fossils spots to Tampa
- Unnamed Area (Agatized Coral #2)Hillsborough County, Florida5 mi · 6 min driveAgatized Coral, Coral, Chalcedony
- Pinellas & Hillsborough BeachesPinellas County, Florida23 mi · 29 min driveAgate, Carnelian, Chalcedony
- Gulf BeachesSarasota County, Florida57 mi · 1 hr 11 min driveFossilized Coral, Shark Teeth, Sponges
- Polk County QuarriesPolk County, Florida58 mi · 1 hr 13 min driveFossils, Gypsum, Petrified Wood
- Bradford CountyCitrus County, Florida60 mi · 1 hr 15 min driveChert, Fossilized Ivory
- Sumter County QuarriesSumter County, Florida62 mi · 1 hr 17 min driveChert, Fossilized Ivory
Types of fossils reported near Tampa
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Fossilized Coral4
- Fossilized Ivory4
- Fossils3
- Manatee Bones3
- Shark Teeth3
- Fossil Coral1
- Fossilized Shells1
Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Tampa
Sorted by distance from Tampa. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed Area (Agatized Coral #2)Interbay Boulevard | Hillsborough County |
| 27.8862, -82.4808 | Public |
| Pinellas & Hillsborough Beaches120th Avenue West | Pinellas County |
| 27.7740, -82.7793 | Public |
| Gulf BeachesSouth Casey Key Road | Sarasota County |
| 27.1229, -82.4711 | Public |
| Polk County QuarriesAlcoma Grove Road | Polk County |
| 27.9116, -81.5067 | Public |
| Bradford CountyEagle Ridge Horse Trail | Citrus County |
| 28.8191, -82.4822 | Public |
| Sumter County QuarriesCR 470 | Sumter County |
| 28.7676, -82.0472 | Public |
| Crystal RiverSuncoast Boulevard | Citrus County | 28.9642, -82.6352 | Public | |
| Englewood BeachNorth Beach Road | Charlotte County |
| 26.9242, -82.3614 | Public |
| Marion County QuarriesUS 301;US 441 | Marion County |
| 29.2491, -82.1497 | Public |
| Fort Drum Crystal MineHerbert Hoover Dike | Okeechobee County | 27.2000, -80.8000 | Paid / fee | |
| Alachua County QuarriesNorthwest 202nd Street | Alachua County |
| 29.6745, -82.5626 | Public |
| Cross Florida Barge Canal | Putnam County |
| 29.5520, -81.7175 | Public |
| Gulf Beaches (South)Seaview Court | Collier County |
| 25.9411, -81.7403 | Public |
Fossils near Tampa FAQ
Where can I find fossils near Tampa?+
13 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Tampa report fossil. The closest is Unnamed Area (Agatized Coral #2) in Hillsborough County County, roughly 5 miles away (6 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Tampa?+
12 of the 13 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible, and 1 is a fee-dig site where you pay for access and keep your finds. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
Is it legal to keep fossils I find?+
On federal land, common invertebrate and plant fossils (shells, corals, trilobites, leaf prints) may be collected casually for personal use. Vertebrate fossils (bone, teeth, anything with a backbone) are protected on federal land and need a research permit. Private land follows the landowner's permission. When in doubt, photograph it, note the location, and ask the managing agency.
How far from Tampa do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 5 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 146 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Tampa
Fossils near other cities
Hunt fossils around Tampa with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
