Fossils near Kansas City, MO
9 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Kansas City report fossil. The closest is Ottawa, about 47 miles out (59 min drive).
Fossil collecting spots cluster around exposed sedimentary rock: road cuts, creek banks, quarries, and badlands where erosion keeps bringing fresh material to the surface.
Map of 9 fossil collecting spots within 150 miles of Kansas City, Missouri
Closest fossils spots to Kansas City
- OttawaFranklin County, Kansas47 mi · 59 min driveFossil Plants
- GarnettAnderson County, Kansas64 mi · 1 hr 19 min driveFossils
- GallatinDaviess County, Missouri66 mi · 1 hr 23 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Daviess CountyDaviess County, Missouri67 mi · 1 hr 24 min driveLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Fossils
- Livingston CountyLivingston County, Missouri70 mi · 1 hr 28 min driveLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Fossils
- Gentry CountyGentry County, Missouri77 mi · 1 hr 37 min driveLake Superior Agate, Jasper, Fossils
Types of fossils reported near Kansas City
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Fossils7
- Fossil Plants1
- Fossilized Coral1
Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Kansas City
Sorted by distance from Kansas City. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OttawaMontana Road | Franklin County |
| 38.6586, -95.2547 | Public |
| Garnett | Anderson County | 38.3452, -95.2533 | Public | |
| GallatinPepper Avenue | Daviess County | 39.9193, -93.9405 | Public | |
| Daviess County215th Street | Daviess County | 39.9653, -93.9975 | Public | |
| Livingston County | Livingston County | 39.7545, -93.5739 | Public | |
| Gentry County | Gentry County | 40.2077, -94.3754 | Public | |
| Grundy County | Grundy County | 40.1196, -93.5296 | Public | |
| Fremont County200 Street | Fremont County |
| 40.7511, -95.6772 | Public |
| Weeping Water156th Street | Cass County | 40.8670, -96.1607 | Public |
Fossils near Kansas City FAQ
Where can I find fossils near Kansas City?+
9 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Kansas City report fossil. The closest is Ottawa in Franklin County County, roughly 47 miles away (59 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Kansas City?+
9 of the 9 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
Is it legal to keep fossils I find?+
On federal land, common invertebrate and plant fossils (shells, corals, trilobites, leaf prints) may be collected casually for personal use. Vertebrate fossils (bone, teeth, anything with a backbone) are protected on federal land and need a research permit. Private land follows the landowner's permission. When in doubt, photograph it, note the location, and ask the managing agency.
How far from Kansas City do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 47 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 148 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Kansas City
Fossils near other cities
Hunt fossils around Kansas City with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
