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Black Warrior River Mines & Pits: Fossil Hunting in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama

Updated July 2026

The gravels of the Black Warrior River around Tuscaloosa are one of Alabama's most productive spots for agate, jasper, chalcedony, and silicified wood eroded from the Coastal Plain and coal-basin rocks upstream. The surrounding Pottsville strata and Cretaceous Tuscaloosa Group gravels also shed kyanite and Pennsylvanian plant fossils. Because the river is navigable, its gravel bars offer public access below the high water mark, unlike the private strip mines that dot the same district. Reported finds include agate, chalcedony, fossils, jasper, kyanite, and more. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Black Warrior River Mines & Pits photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

The Black Warrior River at Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Tuscaloosa County
State: Alabama
Nearest road: Rocky Branch Road
Postcode: 35444
Coordinates: 33.27837, -87.39943

Geology at Black Warrior River Mines & Pits

This spot sits on Pottsville Formation (upper part), mapped as shale, siltstone, and sandstone that formed roughly 360 to 300 million years ago. Sedimentary layers like these are where fossils are typically preserved, and fresh exposures after rain or in active cuts tend to produce best.

Mapped unit: Pottsville Formation (upper part)
Age: 360–300 Ma (Carboniferous to Pennsylvanian)
Rock types: shale, siltstone, and sandstone
Elevation: 500 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Black Warrior River Mines & Pits

Best months: September to June. Typical highs run 91°F in midsummer and 55°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 34°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, NORTHPORT 2 S station (12 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Black Warrior River Mines & Pits

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

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Black Warrior River Mines & Pits FAQ

Where is Black Warrior River Mines & Pits?+

Black Warrior River Mines & Pits is in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, at 33.27837, -87.39943. Nearest road: Rocky Branch Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Black Warrior River Mines & Pits?+

Black Warrior River Mines & Pits is reported to produce Agate, Chalcedony, Fossils, Jasper, Kyanite, Steatite, Vivianite.

Is collecting allowed at Black Warrior River Mines & Pits?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Black Warrior River Mines & Pits?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Black Warrior River Mines & Pits?+

The most comfortable months at Black Warrior River Mines & Pits are September to June.

How do I get to Black Warrior River Mines & Pits?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 33.27837, -87.39943 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Rocky Branch Road.

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