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Mineral Wells Fossil Park: Crinoid Stems & Brachiopods Rockhounding in Palo Pinto County, Texas

Updated June 2026

Mineral Wells Fossil Park exposes Pennsylvanian marine shale roughly 300 million years old, where eroded slopes yield abundant crinoid stems, brachiopods, sea urchins, and bivalves. The City of Mineral Wells runs the site as a free public park, and visitors may keep what they find for personal use. It is one of the most accessible fossil-collecting sites in North Texas. Reported finds include crinoid stems, brachiopods, echinoids, bivalves, bryozoans. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Mineral Wells Fossil Park photos

Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.

1 photo

Crinoid stem fossils in Pennsylvanian limestone, like the marine fossils at Mineral Wells Fossil Park

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Palo Pinto County
State: Texas
Coordinates: 32.82572, -98.19038

Geology at Mineral Wells Fossil Park

This spot sits on Terrace deposits, mapped as sand that formed within roughly the last 3 million years. Loose deposits like these are float-collecting ground: erosion keeps moving durable rocks and minerals into gravel bars, cutbanks, and washes.

Mapped unit: Terrace deposits
Age: 3 Ma to present (Pleistocene to Holocene)
Rock types: sand
Elevation: 910 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Mineral Wells Fossil Park

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 96°F in midsummer and 58°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 33°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, MINERAL WELLS AP station (8 mi away).

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.

State guidance last verified: April 1, 2026

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Bureau of Economic Geology — Texas geology
Big Bend National Park — Rules
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Mineral Wells Fossil Park

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Crinoid Stems
Brachiopods
Echinoids
Bivalves
Bryozoans

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Mineral Wells Fossil Park.

Mineral Wells Fossil Park FAQ

Where is Mineral Wells Fossil Park?+

Mineral Wells Fossil Park is in Palo Pinto County, Texas, at 32.82572, -98.19038.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Mineral Wells Fossil Park?+

Mineral Wells Fossil Park is reported to produce Crinoid Stems, Brachiopods, Echinoids, Bivalves, Bryozoans.

Is collecting allowed at Mineral Wells Fossil Park?+

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. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Mineral Wells Fossil Park?+

A rock hammer, sturdy gloves, safety glasses, and a collecting bag cover the basics here. Add a spray bottle: wet rock shows color and pattern that dry rock hides.

When is the best time to visit Mineral Wells Fossil Park?+

The most comfortable months at Mineral Wells Fossil Park are September to May. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

How do I get to Mineral Wells Fossil Park?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 32.82572, -98.19038 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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