Turtle Mound: A Tower of Shells

Turtle Mound, on the Florida coast, is a huge pile of oyster shells dating back over a thousand years. Here, the Timucua people threw their trash, and today it sprawls for over 600 feet, towering as much as 49-50 feet high. Now owned and managed by the National Park Service, it's a curious tourist attraction to add to any road trip. Hiding in the beach vegetation, you'll see rare plants brought here by the Timucuan migratory birds. The unique environment has created pockets of tropical flora you won't find elsewhere on the mainland.

Keep an eye out for turtles, too, since this shell mound is named 'turtle' for a reason. The Turtle Mound is one of the largest in the US, and was an important landmark for early mariners, even helping them navigate the coast before lighthouses were built. Though no excavations have been done, the shell mound is a marvel to behold. The closest town to Turtle Mound is New Smyrna Beach, and State Route A1A goes right past it. Just keep your eyes on the road, 'cause there are plenty of seabirds flying above that might catch your eye.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons