South Padre Island has been home to a variety of found treasures, including jewels, items from shipwrecks, gold and antique bottles. The island is located on the tip of Texas, bordering Mexico, and it juts out into the Gulf of Mexico. Bring a magnifying glass, shovel and metal detector. Many items are buried a couple of feet under the sand. Start nearest the water since many items wash up on shore even a century after they are buried due to tidal movements. Get as near to the ground as possible so that you don’t miss anything in the brush or sand. Look for pot chards, which could be left over from the native tribes, rusted metal, which could come from shipwrecks, and crusted over bottles. The island has plenty of snake holes and natural sand dunes to explore.
South Padre Island
7355 Padre Blvd.
South Padre Island, TX 78597
800-767-2373
sopadre.com
If you want to strike gold, then head to the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Enchanted Rock is a large pink rock that dominates the surrounding scenery. Creeks like the Big Sandy Creek, Silver Mine Creek and Gold Mine Creek were once hotbeds for gold panning in the 1890s. Specks and/or flakes of gold have been found in these creeks. Bring old panning screens and magnifying glasses to assist you in sifting through mud, debris and other rocks. Gloves may also be necessary to children to ensure that they do not cut their hands.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
16710 Ranch Road 965
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
830-685-3636
tpwd.state.tx.us
The Bryan and College Station area of Texas is known for its cache of petrified wood. Petrified wood has been fossilized and turned into the consistency of stone, but oftentimes the wood grain is still present. These woods can look like bark or have a standard wood color, or they can even have an iridescent tone due to the petrification. Many of these wood fragments are millions of years old. The wood can most often be found in Texas in river or creek beds or ravines. Wear shoes with good soles so you do not slip.
