Fossils near Montrose, CO
5 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Montrose report fossil. The closest is Hills by Colorado River, about 82 miles out (1 hr 43 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 5 fossil collecting spots within 150 miles of Montrose, Colorado
Closest fossils spots to Montrose
- Hills by Colorado RiverGrand County, Utah82 mi · 1 hr 43 min driveAgatized Clams, Agatized Dinosaur Bone, Jasperized Dinosaur Bone
- SE Grand CountyGrand County, Utah92 mi · 1 hr 54 min driveAgate, Chalcedony, Chert
- Thompson SpringsGrand County, Utah102 mi · 2 hr 8 min driveAgate, Agatized Clams, Anhydrite
- WoodsideEmery County, Utah141 mi · 2 hr 57 min driveAgate, Carnotite, Chalcedony
- San Rafael SwellEmery County, Utah146 mi · 3 hr 3 min driveAgatized Wood, Amethyst, Carnotite
Types of fossils reported near Montrose
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Jasperized Dinosaur Bone2
- Petrified Dinosaur Bone2
- Agatized Dinosaur Bone1
- Silicified Dinosaur Bone1
Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Montrose
Sorted by distance from Montrose. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hills by Colorado RiverCR 176 | Grand County |
| 38.9688, -109.2623 | Public |
| SE Grand County | Grand County |
| 38.6512, -109.5572 | Permission |
| Thompson SpringsCR 146 | Grand County | 38.8657, -109.7045 | Public | |
| WoodsideDinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | Emery County |
| 39.2016, -110.3346 | Public |
| San Rafael Swell | Emery County |
| 38.9221, -110.5309 | Public |
Fossils near Montrose FAQ
Where can I find fossils near Montrose?+
5 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Montrose report fossil. The closest is Hills by Colorado River in Grand County County, roughly 82 miles away (1 hr 43 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Montrose?+
4 of the 5 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 Montrose do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 82 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 146 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Montrose
Fossils near other cities
Hunt fossils around Montrose 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.
