RockHoundR

Where to Find Fossils

196 mapped fossil spots across 43 regions in 3 countries. Pick a region for its local guide, or browse every spot below. Fossil collecting on most BLM and Forest Service land is allowed for invertebrate and plant fossils, with limits. Vertebrate fossils are off-limits without a permit. State and federal land with fossil-specific protections (national monuments, fossil parks) usually disallow collecting entirely.

Open the full map

Every mapped fossil spot

Top regions for fossils

New Zealand

1 spots · 1 regions

Fossils rockhounding FAQ

Where is the best place to find fossils?+
Oregon, Michigan, Ohio have the highest concentrations of fossils in this list. Quality and access vary by area, so open the linked region pages for a detailed view.
How many fossil rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
196 mapped spots across 43 regions in 3 countries. The app keeps these on a map alongside your private finds.
Can I legally collect fossils on public land?+
In the U.S., casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals like fossils is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Rules differ by country and region, so always check with the managing agency before a trip.
How do I identify fossils in the field?+
Field identification of fossils comes down to color, hardness, fracture, and luster. The RockHoundR app links to geology details for each spot to help narrow down what you might be picking up.

Hunt fossils on the map

Open RockHoundR to see these spots on a real map with public land overlays and trip-planning details.

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