Fossils near Terre Haute, IN
7 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Terre Haute report fossil. The closest is Louisville (quarry area), about 120 miles out (2 hr 30 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 7 fossil collecting spots within 150 miles of Terre Haute, Indiana
Closest fossils spots to Terre Haute
- Louisville (quarry area)Jefferson County, Kentucky120 mi · 2 hr 30 min driveFossilized Quarry, Petrified Wood
- WeisburgDearborn County, Indiana128 mi · 2 hr 39 min driveTrilobites
- Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish & Wildlife Area (Pit 11)Grundy County, Illinois128 mi · 2 hr 40 min driveConcretions With Fossils, Siderite, Tully Monster
- Coal CityWill County, Illinois132 mi · 2 hr 45 min driveConcretions With Fossils
- Louisville (oolites area)Jefferson County, Kentucky132 mi · 2 hr 45 min driveSilicified Fossils, Oolite
- Mazon RiverGrundy County, Illinois136 mi · 2 hr 50 min driveFossils
Types of fossils reported near Terre Haute
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Concretions With Fossils2
- Fossils2
- Trilobites2
- Fern Fossils1
- Fossilized Quarry1
- Silicified Fossils1
Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Terre Haute
Sorted by distance from Terre Haute. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville (quarry area)Chickasaw Park Road | Jefferson County | 38.2405, -85.8348 | Public | |
| WeisburgWeisburg Road | Dearborn County | 39.2222, -85.0484 | Public | |
| Mazonia-Braidwood State Fish & Wildlife Area (Pit 11)Illinois Route 53 | Grundy County |
| 41.1975, -88.2708 | Public |
| Coal CityHole In The Wall Road | Will County | 41.2792, -88.2003 | Public | |
| Louisville (oolites area)Gene Snyder Freeway | Jefferson County | 38.2611, -85.5030 | Public | |
| Mazon River | Grundy County | 41.2934, -88.3667 | Public | |
| Hueston Woods State ParkFour Mile Creek | Preble County |
| 39.5810, -84.7490 | Public |
Fossils near Terre Haute FAQ
Where can I find fossils near Terre Haute?+
7 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Terre Haute report fossil. The closest is Louisville (quarry area) in Jefferson County, roughly 120 miles away (2 hr 30 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Terre Haute?+
7 of the 7 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 Terre Haute do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 120 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 142 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Terre Haute
Fossils near other cities
Hunt fossils around Terre Haute 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.
