Fossils near Salt Lake City, UT
6 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Salt Lake City report fossil. The closest is Fairfield, about 36 miles out (45 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 6 fossil collecting spots within 150 miles of Salt Lake City, Utah
Closest fossils spots to Salt Lake City
- FairfieldUtah County, Utah36 mi · 45 min driveChalcedony, Chert, Limonite
- Bear LakeBear Lake County, Idaho96 mi · 2 hr driveFossils
- Castle DaleEmery County, Utah119 mi · 2 hr 28 min driveAgate, Agatized Dinosaur Bone, Petrified Wood
- WoodsideEmery County, Utah136 mi · 2 hr 50 min driveAgate, Carnotite, Chalcedony
- EmerySevier County, Utah139 mi · 2 hr 54 min driveAgate, Jasperized Dinosaur Bone
- San Rafael SwellEmery County, Utah146 mi · 3 hr 3 min driveAgatized Wood, Amethyst, Carnotite
Types of fossils reported near Salt Lake City
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Fossils2
- Petrified Dinosaur Bone2
- Agatized Dinosaur Bone1
- Jasperized Dinosaur Bone1
Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Salt Lake City
Sorted by distance from Salt Lake City. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FairfieldLewiston Road | Utah County | 40.2736, -112.1452 | Public | |
| Bear LakeMinnetonka Cave Road | Bear Lake County | 42.1134, -111.4459 | Public | |
| Castle DaleCedar Hollow Trail | Emery County |
| 39.2274, -110.8866 | Public |
| WoodsideDinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway | Emery County |
| 39.2016, -110.3346 | Public |
| Emery | Sevier County |
| 38.7837, -111.3592 | Public |
| San Rafael Swell | Emery County |
| 38.9221, -110.5309 | Public |
Fossils near Salt Lake City FAQ
Where can I find fossils near Salt Lake City?+
6 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Salt Lake City report fossil. The closest is Fairfield in Utah County County, roughly 36 miles away (45 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Salt Lake City?+
6 of the 6 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 Salt Lake City do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 36 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 146 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Salt Lake City
Fossils near other cities
Hunt fossils around Salt Lake 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.
