Boggy Creek Fossil & Gem Mine
Approximate — check official site before visiting
70-foot mining trough with real precious gems and rare fossils. Multiple package options including gemstone mix, fossil mix, shark teeth, and arrowheads. Geode station with hydraulic splitter. Part of Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures. Great for families and kids.
🌐 Visit Official Site →🪨 What You Can Find Here
Emeralds
North Carolina's Hiddenite region is the only place in North America where emeralds are found naturally.
Also found at:
Ruby
Red corundum, one of the world's most precious gemstones. North Carolina's Cowee Valley and Franklin area are known US sources for rubies found in public mining operations.
Also found at:
Amethyst
Purple quartz crystals found in geodes and pegmatites. Notable sources include Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
Also found at:
Fossilized Amber
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Geodes
Hollow rocks lined with crystals. Iowa's Keokuk region is the Geode Capital of the World.
Also found at:
📍 Nearby Locations in Florida
Venice Beach Fossil Beds
Venice, Florida · Public Beach
World-famous for fossil shark teeth. Venice is the Shark Tooth Capital of the World. Walk the beaches after storms for megalodon and other species.
Peace River
Arcadia, Florida · Public Land
Fossil-hunting in the Peace River using screens. Megalodon teeth, mammoth bones, giant sloth claws, and more. Canoe or kayak access.
Agatized Coral Beds
Tampa Bay, Florida · Public Land
Florida's state rock — agatized coral. Found in the Tampa Bay and Withlacoochee River areas. Fossilized coral replaced by agate over millions of years...
Jupiter Inlet Fossil Site
Jupiter, Florida · Public Land
Fossil shell and shark tooth deposits along the Jupiter Inlet. Shell pits and dredge spoil sites in the area produce excellent fossils.
Boulder Field Fossil Site
Gainesville, Florida · Fee Dig
Fee-dig fossil site in north-central Florida. Screened fossil material from local river beds. Good family-friendly fossil hunting.
Lake Wales Area Fossils
Lake Wales, Florida · Fee Dig
Phosphate mining area in central Florida known for fossil shark teeth, whale bones, and other marine fossils.
⛏️ Recommended Gear
Make the most of your visit to Boggy Creek Fossil & Gem Mine with the right equipment.
Rock Hammer
The most essential rockhounding tool. Choose a hammer with both a flat striking face and a pointed pick end.
Typical: $25-45
Safety Glasses
Mandatory protective gear. Rock chips fly unpredictably when hammering.
Typical: $10-20
Chisel Set
Cold chisels in 3-4 sizes for precise extraction from matrix rock.
Typical: $15-30
Geologist's Pick
A heavier crack hammer for splitting hard rock. Essential for hard rock mining areas.
Typical: $35-60
Sifting Screen
Stackable mesh screens for sifting gravel and dirt. Essential for gem and fossil hunting.
Typical: $20-40
UV Flashlight
Long-wave UV light for finding fluorescent minerals and Yooperlites.
Typical: $15-35