Fossil Dig Sites in Kansas, USA
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Castle Rock
Location: Quinter, Gove County, KS 67752
GPS Coordinates: 38.8611, -100.1696
Fossil Types Found:
- Shark teeth
- Marine invertebrates
- Fish bones
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Niobrara Chalk
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting of vertebrate fossils without BLM permit
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Quinter
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (74 reviews)
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Monument Rocks
Location: Oakley, Logan County, KS 67748
GPS Coordinates: 38.7907, -100.7627
Fossil Types Found:
- Mosasaurs
- Shark teeth
- Fish fossils
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Niobrara Chalk
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required for collecting
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Oakley
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Mosasaur skeletons
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.6/5 (200 reviews)
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Keystone Gallery
Location: Oakley, Logan County, KS 67748
GPS Coordinates: 39.0205, -100.7507
Fossil Types Found:
- Mosasaurs
- Plesiosaurs
- Shark teeth
- Fish fossils
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Niobrara Chalk
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Guided tours require booking
Entry Fee: Varies by tour
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Summer
Dig Options: Guided tours
Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, parking, lodging in Oakley
Contact Information: Website, Phone: (785) 672-4865
Famous Discoveries: 22-foot mosasaur, Xiphactinus with Gillicus
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.7/5 (50 reviews)
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Sternberg Museum Fossil Digs
Location: Hays, Ellis County, KS 67601
GPS Coordinates: 38.8748, -99.3173
Fossil Types Found:
- Mosasaurs
- Pteranodons
- Fish fossils
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Niobrara Chalk
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Registration required
Entry Fee: Varies by program
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Guided tours, educational programs
Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, lodging in Hays
Contact Information: Website, Phone: (785) 628-4286
Famous Discoveries: Fish-within-a-fish Xiphactinus
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.8/5 (100 reviews)
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Flint Hills Roadcuts
Location: Manhattan, Riley County, KS 66502
GPS Coordinates: 39.1836, -96.5717
Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Corals
- Trilobites
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Wreford Limestone
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: None for common invertebrates
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Manhattan
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (60 reviews)
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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve
Location: Strong City, Chase County, KS 66869
GPS Coordinates: 38.4329, -96.5592
Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Bivalves
- Corals
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Barneston Limestone
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Observation only
Tool Use Policy: No tools
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, lodging in Cottonwood Falls
Contact Information: Website, Phone: (620) 273-8494
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (150 reviews)
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Smoky Hill Chalk Beds
Location: Gove, Gove County, KS 67736
GPS Coordinates: 38.8739, -100.4258
Fossil Types Found:
- Mosasaurs
- Plesiosaurs
- Pteranodons
- Fish fossils
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Niobrara Chalk
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided with permission
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Gove
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Pteranodon fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (80 reviews)
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Fick Fossil and History Museum
Location: Oakley, Logan County, KS 67748
GPS Coordinates: 39.1267, -100.8524
Fossil Types Found:
- Shark teeth
- Fish fossils
- Mosasaurs
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Niobrara Chalk
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting; museum display only
Entry Fee: Free (donations accepted)
Best Season to Visit: Year-round
Dig Options: Observation only
Tool Use Policy: No tools
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, lodging in Oakley
Contact Information: Website, Phone: (785) 671-4839
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (90 reviews)
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Elmo Insect Beds
Location: Hope, Dickinson County, KS 67451
GPS Coordinates: 38.6786, -97.0769
Fossil Types Found:
- Insects
- Plant fossils
Geological Period: Permian
Stratigraphic Formation: Wellington Formation
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided with permission
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
Nearby Facilities: Limited
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Over 10,000 insect species
User Ratings and Reviews: N/A
Kaw River
Location: Lawrence, Douglas County, KS 66044
GPS Coordinates: 38.9717, -95.2353
Fossil Types Found:
- Bivalves
- Brachiopods
- Mammal bones
Geological Period: Pleistocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Alluvial Deposits
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: None for common invertebrates
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Lawrence
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Bison vertebrae
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (70 reviews)
Augusta Roadcut
Location: Augusta, Butler County, KS 67010
GPS Coordinates: 37.6867, -96.9667
Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Corals
- Trilobites
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Chase Group
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: None for common invertebrates
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Augusta
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (50 reviews)
Scott State Park
Location: Scott City, Scott County, KS 67871
GPS Coordinates: 38.6778, -100.9167
Fossil Types Found:
- Shark teeth
- Fish fossils
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Niobrara Chalk
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
Entry Fee: $5 vehicle fee
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Observation only
Tool Use Policy: No tools
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, camping
Contact Information: Website, Phone: (620) 872-2061
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (120 reviews)
Little Jerusalem Badlands
Location: Oakley, Logan County, KS 67748
GPS Coordinates: 38.8028, -100.9289
Fossil Types Found:
- Shark teeth
- Fish fossils
- Marine invertebrates
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Niobrara Chalk
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
Entry Fee: $5 vehicle fee
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Observation only
Tool Use Policy: No tools
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Oakley
Contact Information: Website, Phone: (785) 672-2061
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (110 reviews)
Garnett Plant Beds
Location: Garnett, Anderson County, KS 66032
GPS Coordinates: 38.2806, -95.2419
Fossil Types Found:
- Plant fossils
- Conifers
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Lawrence Formation
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided with permission
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Garnett
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: N/A
Ellsworth Leaf Beds
Location: Ellsworth, Ellsworth County, KS 67439
GPS Coordinates: 38.7283, -98.2297
Fossil Types Found:
- Plant leaves
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Dakota Formation
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided with permission
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Ellsworth
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: N/A
Leoti Fossil Beds
Location: Leoti, Wichita County, KS 67861
GPS Coordinates: 38.4797, -101.3589
Fossil Types Found:
- Fish fossils
- Shark teeth
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Niobrara Chalk
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided with permission
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Leoti
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Fossilized fish skull
User Ratings and Reviews: N/A
Fort Wallace
Location: Wallace, Wallace County, KS 67761
GPS Coordinates: 38.9117, -101.5822
Fossil Types Found:
- Mosasaurs
- Pteranodons
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Niobrara Chalk
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided with permission
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
Nearby Facilities: Limited
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Clidastes skeleton
User Ratings and Reviews: N/A
Wichita Riverbanks
Location: Wichita, Sedgwick County, KS 67202
GPS Coordinates: 37.6872, -97.3301
Fossil Types Found:
- Mammal bones
- Horse teeth
Geological Period: Pleistocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Equus Bed Aquifer
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: None for common fossils
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Wichita
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Equus scotti tooth
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (60 reviews)
Kanopolis State Park
Location: Marquette, Ellsworth County, KS 67464
GPS Coordinates: 38.6117, -98.0139
Fossil Types Found:
- Plant fossils
- Invertebrates
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Dakota Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
Entry Fee: $5 vehicle fee
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Observation only
Tool Use Policy: No tools
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, camping
Contact Information: Website, Phone: (785) 546-2565
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (100 reviews)
Blue Rapids Roadcuts
Location: Blue Rapids, Marshall County, KS 66411
GPS Coordinates: 39.6819, -96.6597
Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Corals
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Barneston Limestone
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: None for common invertebrates
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Marysville
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (40 reviews)
Clinton Lake
Location: Lawrence, Douglas County, KS 66049
GPS Coordinates: 38.9167, -95.3333
Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Crinoids
- Trilobites
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Douglas Group
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: None for common invertebrates
Entry Fee: None
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms, camping, lodging in Lawrence
Contact Information: Website, Phone: (785) 843-7665
Famous Discoveries: None
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (80 reviews)
Comparison of Kansas Fossil Dig Sites
Site Name State Fossil Types Dig Type Average Rating Castle Rock Kansas Shark teeth, Marine invertebrates, Fish Public, Self-guided 4.5/5 Monument Rocks Kansas Mosasaurs, Shark teeth, Fish Private, Permit-only 4.6/5 Keystone Gallery Kansas Mosasaurs, Plesiosaurs, Shark teeth, Fish Private, Guided 4.7/5 Sternberg Museum Kansas Mosasaurs, Pteranodons, Fish Private, Guided 4.8/5 Flint Hills Roadcuts Kansas Brachiopods, Corals, Trilobites Public, Self-guided 4.0/5 Tallgrass Prairie Kansas Brachiopods, Bivalves, Corals Public, Observation 4.4/5 Smoky Hill Chalk Kansas Mosasaurs, Plesiosaurs, Pteranodons, Fish Private, Permit-only 4.3/5 Fick Fossil Museum Kansas Shark teeth, Fish, Mosasaurs Public, Observation 4.5/5 Elmo Insect Beds Kansas Insects, Plants Private, Permit-only N/A Kaw River Kansas Bivalves, Brachiopods, Mammal bones Public, Self-guided 4.1/5 Augusta Roadcut Kansas Brachiopods, Corals, Trilobites Public, Self-guided 4.0/5 Scott State Park Kansas Shark teeth, Fish Public, Observation 4.3/5 Little Jerusalem Kansas Shark teeth, Fish, Marine invertebrates Public, Observation 4.4/5 Garnett Plant Beds Kansas Plants, Conifers Private, Permit-only N/A Ellsworth Leaf Beds Kansas Plant leaves Private, Permit-only N/A Leoti Fossil Beds Kansas Fish, Shark teeth Private, Permit-only N/A Fort Wallace Kansas Mosasaurs, Pteranodons Private, Permit-only N/A Wichita Riverbanks Kansas Mammal bones, Horse teeth Public, Self-guided 4.0/5 Kanopolis State Park Kansas Plants, Invertebrates Public, Observation 4.2/5 Blue Rapids Roadcuts Kansas Brachiopods, Corals Public, Self-guided 3.9/5 Clinton Lake Kansas Brachiopods, Crinoids, Trilobites Public, Self-guided 4.1/5 Fossil Dig Tourism in Kansas
Kansas is a fossil hunter’s paradise, offering some of the best fossil dig sites in Kansas for families, beginners, and seasoned paleontologists. Known for its ancient seas, the state is home to public dinosaur excavation areas in Kansas, like the iconic Castle Rock and Monument Rocks, where the Niobrara Chalk yields mosasaurs, shark teeth, and fish fossils from the Cretaceous period. Family fossil hunting trips in Kansas are both thrilling and accessible, with low-cost paleontology tours in Kansas at sites like the Keystone Gallery, where guided digs uncover marine reptiles. Self-guided fossil digs in Kansas, such as those along the Flint Hills roadcuts, reveal Pennsylvanian brachiopods and trilobites, perfect for rockhounding destinations in Kansas. For those seeking dinosaur dig vacations in Kansas, the Sternberg Museum offers educational programs in the Smoky Hill Chalk Beds, famous for the “fish-within-a-fish” Xiphactinus. Prehistoric site tours in Kansas at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve showcase limestone packed with marine life, while paleontology field adventures in Kansas along the Kaw River yield Pleistocene mammal bones. Spring to fall is ideal for fossil hunting in Kansas, with sites like Augusta’s roadcuts and Clinton Lake offering easy access for beginners. Common fossils in Kansas, including corals and crinoids, are abundant in eastern limestone, while western chalk beds teem with fossils of animals in Kansas like pteranodons. With visitor centers at state parks and lodging in nearby towns, Kansas’s Jurassic fossil parks in Kansas cater to all ages. From the Permian insect beds of Elmo to the Cretaceous treasures of Leoti, exploring where to find fossils in Kansas connects adventurers to a prehistoric world of ancient oceans and Ice Age giants, ensuring unforgettable discoveries for every fossil enthusiast.
[](https://www.kcur.org/2020-03-03/there-are-millions-of-fossils-in-kansas-heres-how-you-can-find-one)[](https://roadtrippers.com/magazine/kansas-fossil-hunting/)[](https://geokansas.ku.edu/fossils-kansas)
Fossil Digging FAQs
Can anyone dig for fossils in Kansas national parks?
No, collecting fossils in national parks like Tallgrass Prairie is prohibited to preserve resources.
[](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/fossil-parks-list.htm)
What gear do I need for a fossil dig in Kansas?
Sturdy shoes, gloves, hand tools (hammer, chisel), a bag for fossils, and water. Check site rules.
[](https://www.ksn.com/news/dont-miss-this/how-to-hunt-for-fossils-in-kansas/)
Do I need a permit for fossil hunting in Kansas?
Permits are required for vertebrate fossils on public land; private sites need landowner permission.
[](https://www.ksn.com/news/dont-miss-this/how-to-hunt-for-fossils-in-kansas/)
When is the best time to fossil hunt in Kansas?
Spring to fall (March–October) for accessible sites and favorable weather.
Can kids join fossil digs in Kansas?
Yes, sites like Castle Rock are family-friendly with adult supervision.
[](https://wichitamom.com/around-wichita/things-to-do/where-to-hunt-for-shells-and-fossils-in-kansas/)
Are guided fossil tours available in Kansas?
Yes, Keystone Gallery and Sternberg Museum offer guided tours.
[](https://www.kansas.com/living/article1143036.html)
Can I keep fossils I find in Kansas?
Common invertebrates can be kept on public land; private land fossils belong to the landowner.
[](https://www.ksn.com/news/dont-miss-this/how-to-hunt-for-fossils-in-kansas/)