Fossils near Moab, UT
9 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Moab report fossil. The closest is SE Grand County, about 5 miles out (7 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 Moab, Utah
Closest fossils spots to Moab
- SE Grand CountyGrand County, Utah5 mi · 7 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- Thompson SpringsGrand County, Utah22 mi · 27 min driveAgate, Agatized Clams, Anhydrite
- Hills by Colorado RiverGrand County, Utah31 mi · 39 min driveAgatized Clams, Agatized Dinosaur Bone, Jasperized Dinosaur Bone
- San Rafael SwellEmery County, Utah58 mi · 1 hr 13 min driveAgatized Wood, Amethyst, Carnotite
- WoodsideEmery County, Utah61 mi · 1 hr 16 min driveAgate, Carnotite, Chalcedony
- Castle DaleEmery County, Utah85 mi · 1 hr 46 min driveAgate, Agatized Dinosaur Bone, Petrified Wood
Types of fossils reported near Moab
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Jasperized Dinosaur Bone4
- Petrified Dinosaur Bone4
- Agatized Dinosaur Bone2
- Silicified Dinosaur Bone1
Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Moab
Sorted by distance from Moab. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE Grand County | Grand County |
| 38.6512, -109.5572 | Public |
| Thompson SpringsCR 146 | Grand County | 38.8657, -109.7045 | Public | |
| Hills by Colorado RiverCR 176 | Grand County |
| 38.9688, -109.2623 | Public |
| San Rafael Swell | Emery County |
| 38.9221, -110.5309 | Public |
| WoodsideDinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | Emery County |
| 39.2016, -110.3346 | Public |
| Castle DaleCedar Hollow Trail | Emery County |
| 39.2274, -110.8866 | Public |
| Emery | Sevier County |
| 38.7837, -111.3592 | Public |
| TorreyNorth 300 East Street | Wayne County | 38.3051, -111.4093 | Public | |
| EscalanteEscalante River Trail | Garfield County | 37.7782, -111.5744 | Public |
Fossils near Moab FAQ
Where can I find fossils near Moab?+
9 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Moab report fossil. The closest is SE Grand County in Grand County County, roughly 5 miles away (7 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Moab?+
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 Moab do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 5 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 123 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Moab
Fossils near other cities
Hunt fossils around Moab 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.
