Where to Find Fossils
89 mapped fossils spots across 30 regions. Pick a region for its local guide, or browse every spot by country 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.
Top regions for fossils
United States
89 spots ยท 30 regionsMap showing where to find fossils, with 89 mapped spots
Every mapped fossils spot
Fossils rockhounding FAQ
Where is the best place to find fossils?+
Nebraska, Missouri, Florida 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 fossils rockhounding spots does RockHoundR track?+
89 mapped spots across 30 regions. 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.
