Best Fossil Dig Sites in Manitoba
Note: Manitoba has limited public fossil dig sites due to the Manitoba Heritage Resources Act, which protects fossils on Crown land. The Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC) in Morden offers the primary public dig program. Other listed sites are observation or surface-collecting areas, often requiring permits for collection.
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CFDC Fossil Dig Adventure Tours
Location: Morden, Manitoba, R6M 1N9, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 49.1975, -98.0952
Fossil Types Found: - Plesiosaurs
- Mosasaurs
- Fish
- Shark teeth
- Squid (rare)
- Turtles (rare)
- Birds (rare)
Geological Period: Late Cretaceous (83 Ma) Stratigraphic Formation: Pierre Shale Formation (Pembina Member) Public or Private Access: Public (guided digs) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit managed by CFDC; no personal collecting allowed Entry Fee: ~$100 CAD (day dig); varies for multi-day Best Season to Visit: July to September Dig Options: Guided day or week-long digs, educational programs Tool Use Policy: Tools provided by CFDC; personal tools not allowed Nearby Facilities: CFDC museum, restrooms, parking, lodging in Morden (Access Event Centre) Contact Information:
Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre,
Phone: +1 (204) 822-3406,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: “Bruce,” the world’s largest mosasaur (Guinness World Record) User Ratings and Reviews:4.6/5 (150 reviews) -
Tyndall-Garson Quarry
Location: Garson, Manitoba, R0E 0R0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 50.0762, -96.6949
Fossil Types Found: - Conularia (6 species)
- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
- Corals
- Gastropods
- Algae (Receptaculites)
Geological Period: Upper Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Red River Formation (Cat Head Member) Public or Private Access: Private (quarry, limited public access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Not applicable Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Selkirk (20 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Type locality for Cat Head Member conularia User Ratings and Reviews:4.2/5 (30 reviews) -
Stony Mountain Quarry
Location: Stony Mountain, Manitoba, R0C 3A0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 50.0854, -97.2154
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
- Brachiopods
- Corals
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Stony Mountain Formation Public or Private Access: Private (quarry, limited public access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Not applicable Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Winnipeg (20 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Abundant Ordovician mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.3/5 (40 reviews) -
Manitoba Museum
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 0N2, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 49.9000, -97.1386
Fossil Types Found: - Marine reptiles (display only)
- Invertebrates (display only)
Geological Period: Various (Ordovician to Cretaceous) Stratigraphic Formation: Various (e.g., Pierre Shale, Red River) Public or Private Access: Public (museum, no digging) Permit Requirements: No digging permitted Entry Fee: ~$20 CAD (adult admission) Best Season to Visit: Year-round Dig Options: Educational programs, no digging Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed Nearby Facilities: Museum, restrooms, parking, lodging in Winnipeg Contact Information:
Manitoba Museum,
Phone: +1 (204) 956-2830,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Displays of Manitoba’s marine fossils User Ratings and Reviews:4.7/5 (200 reviews) -
Lake Winnipegosis Paradise Beach
Location: Winnipegosis, Manitoba, R0L 2G0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 51.5895, -99.8480
Fossil Types Found: - Brachiopods
- Corals
- Stromatolites
Geological Period: Devonian Stratigraphic Formation: Vermillion River Formation Public or Private Access: Public (beach/quarry, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Winnipegosis (10 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Devonian stromatolites User Ratings and Reviews:4.1/5 (25 reviews) -
Selkirk Limestone Quarries
Location: Selkirk, Manitoba, R1A 2B2, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 50.1454, -96.8726
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Galena Formation Public or Private Access: Private (quarry, limited public access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Not applicable Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Selkirk Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Ordovician mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.2/5 (30 reviews) -
Churchill Hudson Bay Shore
Location: Churchill, Manitoba, R0B 0E0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 58.7691, -94.1680
Fossil Types Found: - Corals
- Mollusks
- Conularia (Eoconularia)
Geological Period: Upper Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Not specified Public or Private Access: Public (shoreline, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Lodging in Churchill Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Eoconularia specimens User Ratings and Reviews:4.3/5 (35 reviews) -
Lundar Lily Bay Quarry
Location: Lundar, Manitoba, R0C 1Y0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 50.7005, -98.0527
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Devonian Stratigraphic Formation: Elm Point Formation Public or Private Access: Private (quarry, limited public access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Not applicable Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Lundar Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Devonian mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.1/5 (20 reviews) -
The Narrows Lake Manitoba Quarry
Location: The Narrows, Manitoba, R0C 2K0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 51.0828, -98.7589
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Upper Devonian Stratigraphic Formation: Dawson Bay Formation Public or Private Access: Private (quarry, limited public access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Not applicable Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Ashern (30 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Devonian mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.0/5 (15 reviews) -
Black Island Quarries
Location: Black Island, Manitoba, R0E 0T0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 51.2649, -96.3677
Fossil Types Found: - Worm burrows
- Microfossils
- Small invertebrates
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Not specified Public or Private Access: Public (abandoned quarries, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Lodging in Hecla (50 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Ordovician worm burrows User Ratings and Reviews:4.0/5 (20 reviews) -
Cat Head Lake Winnipeg
Location: Cat Head, Manitoba, R0C 0Y0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 52.1234, -97.5146
Fossil Types Found: - Trilobites
- Cephalopods
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Galena Formation Public or Private Access: Public (lake cliffs, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Lodging in Gimli (80 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Complete Ordovician trilobites User Ratings and Reviews:4.2/5 (25 reviews) -
Deer Island Lake Winnipeg
Location: Deer Island, Manitoba, R0E 0T0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 51.0552, -96.8198
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
- Corals
- Algae (Receptaculites)
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Not specified Public or Private Access: Public (lake cliffs, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Lodging in Hecla (40 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Ordovician corals User Ratings and Reviews:4.1/5 (20 reviews) -
Grand Rapids Saskatchewan River
Location: Grand Rapids, Manitoba, R0C 1E0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 53.1805, -99.2670
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Silurian Stratigraphic Formation: Not specified Public or Private Access: Public (river gorge, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Lodging in Grand Rapids Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Silurian mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.0/5 (15 reviews) -
East Selkirk Quarries
Location: East Selkirk, Manitoba, R0E 0M0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 50.1375, -96.8331
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Black River Formation Public or Private Access: Private (quarry, limited public access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Not applicable Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Selkirk (10 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Trenton-age mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.1/5 (20 reviews) -
Lower Fort Garry
Location: Lower Fort Garry, Manitoba, R0E 2A0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 50.0360, -96.8939
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Trenton Formation Public or Private Access: Public (historic site, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: ~$8 CAD (site admission) Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, lodging in Selkirk (15 km) Contact Information:
Parks Canada,
Phone: +1 (204) 785-6050Famous Discoveries: Trenton-age mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.4/5 (50 reviews) -
Stonewall Limestone Outcrop
Location: Stonewall, Manitoba, R0C 2Z0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 50.1371, -97.3196
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Not specified Public or Private Access: Public (outcrop, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Stonewall Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Ordovician mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.2/5 (30 reviews) -
Dawson Bay Wilkins Point
Location: Dawson Bay, Manitoba, R0L 0N0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 52.9817, -100.9918
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Devonian Stratigraphic Formation: Not specified Public or Private Access: Public (lake shore, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Lodging in Winnipegosis (50 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Devonian mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.0/5 (15 reviews) -
Grass River Provincial Park
Location: Tramping Lake, Manitoba, R0B 1S0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 54.6238, -100.1369
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Red River Formation Public or Private Access: Public (park, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in The Pas (100 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Ordovician mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.1/5 (20 reviews) -
Clarks Point Lake Winnipeg
Location: Clarks Point, Manitoba, R0C 0M0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 52.1116, -98.0640
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Not specified Public or Private Access: Public (lake shore, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Lodging in Gimli (60 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Ordovician mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.0/5 (15 reviews) -
Grindstone Point Lake Winnipeg
Location: Grindstone Point, Manitoba, R0C 0Y0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 51.2632, -96.6677
Fossil Types Found: - Mollusks
Geological Period: Ordovician Stratigraphic Formation: Not specified Public or Private Access: Public (lake shore, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Lodging in Hecla (40 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Chazy-age mollusks User Ratings and Reviews:4.1/5 (20 reviews) -
Wawanesa River Bank
Location: Wawanesa, Manitoba, R0K 2G0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 49.5957, -99.6834
Fossil Types Found: - Bivalves
- Ammonoids
Geological Period: Upper Cretaceous Stratigraphic Formation: Millwood Shale Formation Public or Private Access: Public (river bank, limited access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Free Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Lodging in Wawanesa Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Cretaceous mollusks in concretions User Ratings and Reviews:4.2/5 (25 reviews) -
Miami Morden Fossil Site
Location: Miami, Manitoba, R0G 1H0, CanadaGPS Coordinates: 49.3287, -98.2954
Fossil Types Found: - Plesiosaurs
- Mosasaurs
Geological Period: Upper Cretaceous Stratigraphic Formation: Vermillion River Formation Public or Private Access: Private (limited public access) Permit Requirements: Heritage permit required for collection Entry Fee: Not applicable Best Season to Visit: Summer Dig Options: Observation; surface collecting with permit Tool Use Policy: No tools without permit Nearby Facilities: Lodging in Morden (20 km) Contact Information:
Manitoba Heritage Permits,
Email: [email protected]Famous Discoveries: Cretaceous marine reptiles User Ratings and Reviews:4.3/5 (30 reviews)
Comparison Table of Fossil Dig Sites in Manitoba
| Site Name | Province | Fossil Types | Dig Type | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CFDC Fossil Dig Adventure Tours | Manitoba | Plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, fish | Guided | 4.6/5 |
| Tyndall-Garson Quarry | Manitoba | Conularia, trilobites, corals | Surface collecting | 4.2/5 |
| Stony Mountain Quarry | Manitoba | Mollusks, brachiopods | Surface collecting | 4.3/5 |
| Manitoba Museum | Manitoba | Marine reptiles, invertebrates (display) | Educational only | 4.7/5 |
| Lake Winnipegosis Paradise Beach | Manitoba | Brachiopods, corals | Surface collecting | 4.1/5 |
| Selkirk Limestone Quarries | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.2/5 |
| Churchill Hudson Bay Shore | Manitoba | Corals, mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.3/5 |
| Lundar Lily Bay Quarry | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.1/5 |
| The Narrows Lake Manitoba Quarry | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.0/5 |
| Black Island Quarries | Manitoba | Worm burrows, microfossils | Surface collecting | 4.0/5 |
| Cat Head Lake Winnipeg | Manitoba | Trilobites, cephalopods | Surface collecting | 4.2/5 |
| Deer Island Lake Winnipeg | Manitoba | Mollusks, corals | Surface collecting | 4.1/5 |
| Grand Rapids Saskatchewan River | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.0/5 |
| East Selkirk Quarries | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.1/5 |
| Lower Fort Garry | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.4/5 |
| Stonewall Limestone Outcrop | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.2/5 |
| Dawson Bay Wilkins Point | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.0/5 |
| Grass River Provincial Park | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.1/5 |
| Clarks Point Lake Winnipeg | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.0/5 |
| Grindstone Point Lake Winnipeg | Manitoba | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 4.1/5 |
| Wawanesa River Bank | Manitoba | Bivalves, ammonoids | Surface collecting | 4.2/5 |
| Miami Morden Fossil Site | Manitoba | Plesiosaurs, mosasaurs | Surface collecting | 4.3/5 |
Exploring Fossil Dig Tourism in Manitoba
Manitoba is a captivating destination for family fossil hunting trips in Manitoba, offering a glimpse into ancient seas and prehistoric life. The best fossil dig sites in Manitoba, centered in Morden, are led by the Canadian Fossil Discovery Centre (CFDC), which hosts guided Fossil Dig Adventure Tours unearthing common fossils in Manitoba like mosasaurs, plesiosaurs, and shark teeth from the Late Cretaceous Pierre Shale Formation. These low-cost paleontology tours in Manitoba are ideal for beginners, with expert-led digs providing hands-on experiences, though fossils remain with the province due to the Manitoba Heritage Resources Act. Beyond Morden, sites like Tyndall-Garson and Stony Mountain quarries offer opportunities for observing Ordovician invertebrates, such as trilobites and mollusks, making them prime rockhounding destinations in Manitoba. The summer months (July to September) are the best time for fossil hunting in Manitoba, with warm weather facilitating access to remote sites like Churchill’s Hudson Bay shore or Lake Winnipeg’s cliffs. While self-guided fossil digs in Manitoba are limited by permit requirements, surface collecting at sites like Lake Winnipegosis or Wawanesa provides thrilling paleontology field adventures in Manitoba. The Manitoba Museum in Winnipeg complements outdoor exploration with exhibits of fossils of animals in Manitoba, from marine reptiles to ancient corals. Visitor centers in Morden and Winnipeg, along with lodging in towns like Selkirk and Churchill, support prehistoric site tours in Manitoba. Famous discoveries, like “Bruce,” the world’s largest mosasaur, draw global attention, while sites like Cat Head yield rare trilobites. For those wondering where to find fossils in Manitoba, the CFDC’s programs and quarry visits offer unmatched experiences, blending education and adventure. Manitoba’s jurassic fossil parks (figuratively speaking) may not rival Alberta’s dinosaur fields, but its marine and invertebrate heritage makes it a top spot for dinosaur dig vacations in Manitoba.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fossil Digging in Canada
Can anyone dig for fossils in Manitoba?
No, fossil digging on Crown land in Manitoba requires a heritage permit. Public digs, like those at the CFDC, are guided and managed under permits, with fossils retained by the province.
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