Oakes Quarry Park — Rockhounding in Greene County, Ohio
Updated July 2026
Oakes Quarry Park exposes the Silurian Brassfield Formation, roughly 440 million years old, and preserves two ancient patch reefs that have yielded 29 species of crinoids, some among the largest ever described. The City of Fairborn manages the old limestone quarry specifically for public fossil collecting, an unusual designation for a municipal park. Brachiopods, bryozoans, mollusks, corals, and occasional trilobites weather out of the reef rock across the site. Reported finds include fossils, crinoids, brachiopods, corals, bryozoans. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Oakes Quarry Park photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Oakes Quarry Park in Greene County, Ohio
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- Greene County
- State
- Ohio
- Nearest road
- East Xenia Drive
- Postcode
- 45324
- Coordinates
- 39.79005, -83.98205
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Sources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.
Found at Oakes Quarry Park
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
- FossilsEncyclopedia →
- CrinoidsEncyclopedia →
- Brachiopods
- Corals
- Bryozoans
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Oakes Quarry Park.
- Caesar Creek Lake SpillwayTop pick in OhioWarren County, Ohio · 21 mi awayFossils, Trilobites, Brachiopods
- Trammel Fossil ParkTop pick in OhioHamilton County, Ohio · 42 mi awayFossils, Trilobites, Brachiopods
- Hueston Woods State ParkTop pick in OhioPreble County, Ohio · 43 mi awayFossils, Trilobites, Brachiopods
- MilfordHamilton County, Ohio · 45 mi awayDiamond
- ColumbusFranklin County, Ohio · 52 mi awayPyrite
- ChillicotheRoss County, Ohio · 56 mi awayPyrite
- Delaware CountyDelaware County, Ohio · 57 mi awayPyrite
- Sinking SpringHighland County, Ohio · 59 mi awayHematite
Across the state line from Oakes Quarry Park
Oakes Quarry Park is close enough to the Ohio border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.
Oakes Quarry Park FAQ
Why is Oakes Quarry Park one of the best rockhounding spots in Ohio?+
Where is Oakes Quarry Park?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Oakes Quarry Park?+
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More rockhounding in Ohio
See all 29 Ohio spots →Open Oakes Quarry Park on the map
Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.
