Fort Drum Crystal Mine (Ruck's Pit)
Approximate — check official site before visiting
Former mining operation turned fee-dig site. Visitors dig for fossilized clam shells filled with honey-colored calcite crystals. Also produces fossil coral, aragonite, and barite. Known as Ruck's Pit. Call ahead to arrange access on this working farm.
🌐 Visit Official Site →🪨 What You Can Find Here
Calcite
Common but versatile carbonate mineral that forms in many crystal habits. Found in geodes, cave deposits, and veins throughout the US.
Also found at:
Fossil Coral
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Aragonite
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
Barite
Heavy barium sulfate mineral that forms distinctive rosette and crystal formations. Oklahoma's Rose Rock Beds produce world-famous barite roses.
Also found at:
Honey Calcite Crystals
Also found at:
- No other locations listed yet
📍 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 Fort Drum Crystal Mine (Ruck's Pit) 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