Prehistoric Prizes: Fossil Hunting on the Peace River

Charlie Creek is a favorite destination of amateur paleontologists, who scour the creek bed for fossils.

If you’re looking for a real-life treasure hunt, look no further than the Peace River. Just a short drive north of Bay Pointe, this "blackwater" river is one of the premier spots in the world for finding fossils. Millions of years ago, Florida was underwater and teeming with massive marine life; today, the river’s current slowly erodes the banks, revealing secrets from the Miocene and Ice Age.

The best fossil hunting happens during the dry season, October through May, when the water is low, and the gravel bars are easy to reach. Remember to grab a $5 State Fossil Permit if you plan on keeping anything other than shark teeth!

You don't need a boat to find the good stuff, but you do need a sifter. Most locals use a handmade wooden frame with mesh wire. You simply scoop up river gravel, shake away the sand, and see what "jewels" are left behind.

What’s in the Gravel? The real fun is in the variety. While wading through the shallow, tea-colored water, you can uncover:

🦈 Shark Teeth: Ranging from tiny lemon shark teeth to the massive, palm-sized Megalodon teeth.

🦣 Ice Age Giants: It’s not uncommon to find fossilized bone fragments from Mammoths, Mastodons, and Giant Ground Sloths.

🐊 Modern Fossils: Keep an eye out for stingray barbs, alligator scutes, and even fossilized horse teeth.