Rockhounding in the Southeast: The Best Spots in Georgia and Florida

Created 05/30/2011 08:22 PM

Rockhounding is an exciting hobby that combines the thrill of the hunt with the beauty of collecting precious stones and minerals. The southeastern United States is home to some of the most diverse and beautiful rockhounding spots in the country. Georgia and Florida in particular offer a wealth of opportunities for rockhounding, whether you’re looking for agates, quartz, or fossils. Here’s a guide to some of the best rockhounding spots in Georgia and Florida.

Rockhounding Georgia

If you’re looking for fantastic rockhounding opportunities in Georgia, the best places to start are in the northwest corner of the state. The area around Rome is home to an abundance of jasper, as well as quartz and agates

The Coosa River is a great spot for finding quartz, as well as some nice specimens of jasper and petrified wood. One popular spot for rockhounding is the Coosa River at the intersection of Highways 411 and 20.

Another great spot for rockhounding in Georgia is Lookout Mountain, located near Chattanooga, Tennessee. The area around Lookout Mountain is rich in quartz, as well as petrified wood, agates, and fossils. The most popular spots for rockhounding in the area are the Suck Creek Road and the north side of Lookout Mountain.

Rockhounding Florida

Florida is home to some of the best rockhounding opportunities in the southeast. The northeast coast of Florida is particularly rich in quartz, as well as agates, jasper, and petrified wood. A great spot for rockhounding on the northeast coast is Amelia Island, located just north of Jacksonville. The beach at Amelia Island is especially rich in quartz, as well as occasional pieces of petrified wood.

The southwest coast of Florida is also a great spot for rockhounding. The areas around Naples and Fort Myers are home to some of the state’s best specimens of quartz, as well as jasper and agates. The beaches around Naples and Fort Myers are particularly rich in quartz.