Where to Find Fossils in Iowa
3 mapped fossils rockhounding spots in Iowa, across 3 counties. Fossil collecting on most BLM and Forest Service land is allowed for invertebrate and plant fossils, with limits.
Map of 3 fossils rockhounding spots in Iowa
Fossils by county in Iowa
Counties ranked by number of fossils spots in our database.
Every fossils spot in Iowa
Sorted by county. Coordinates open in Google Maps. Click a row for details.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandon330th Street | Buchanan County | 42.3164, -91.9902 | Public | |
| DubuqueRiverside Road | Dubuque County | 42.5762, -90.6824 | Public | |
| AmesAudubon Trail | Story County | 42.0336, -93.6318 | Public |
Fossils in Iowa FAQ
Where can I find fossils in Iowa?+
RockHoundR tracks 3 fossils spots in Iowa, spread across 3 counties. The strongest concentration is in Buchanan County.
Is collecting fossils legal in Iowa?+
Casual hand collection of common rocks and minerals like fossils is allowed on most BLM and U.S. Forest Service land in Iowa, with daily and annual limits set by the local field office. National parks, most state parks, and tribal land are off-limits. Always confirm rules before a trip.
What is the best fossils location in Iowa?+
Buchanan County has the most fossils spots in our database for Iowa. The full county breakdown is below — different counties produce different qualities and varieties.
Other states for fossils
Hunt fossils in Iowa on the map
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