Lovell: Fossil Hunting in Big Horn County, Wyoming

Updated June 2026

Lovell is a mapped rockhounding spot in Big Horn County, Wyoming. Reported finds include fossils, ammonites, dinosaur bones, gastroliths. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Big Horn County
State: Wyoming
Nearest road: Medicine Wheel Passage
Coordinates: 44.79770, -108.04737

Geology at Lovell

This spot sits on Mowry and Thermopolis Shales, mapped as shale that formed roughly 145 to 100 million years ago. Sedimentary layers like these are where fossils are typically preserved, and fresh exposures after rain or in active cuts tend to produce best.

Mapped unit: Mowry and Thermopolis Shales
Age: 145–100 Ma (Early Cretaceous)
Rock types: shale
Elevation: 4,710 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 Lovell

Best months: March to October. Typical highs run 83°F in midsummer and 28°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 4°F.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, LOVELL station (18 mi away), adjusted for elevation.

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

BLM Wyoming
Wyoming State Geological Survey
Fossil Butte National Monument
Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules

Found at Lovell

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

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Lovell.

Across the state line from Lovell

Lovell is close enough to the Wyoming border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Lovell FAQ

Where is Lovell?+

Lovell is in Big Horn County, Wyoming, at 44.79770, -108.04737. Nearest road: Medicine Wheel Passage.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Lovell?+

Lovell is reported to produce Fossils, Ammonites, Dinosaur Bones, Gastroliths.

Is collecting allowed at Lovell?+

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 Lovell?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Lovell?+

The most comfortable months at Lovell are March to October.

How do I get to Lovell?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 44.79770, -108.04737 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Medicine Wheel Passage.

More rockhounding in Wyoming

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Open Lovell on the map

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