Fossil Dig Sites Open to Public in New Jersey, USA

1. 1. Littleton (Fitch Hill)

      Location: Littleton, Grafton County, NH, 03561GPS Coordinates: 44.3231, -71.8009Fossil Types Found:

      • Trilobites (Dalmanites, Lichas)
      • Brachiopods (Lingula, Pentamerus)
      • Corals (Zaphrentis, Astrocerium, Favosites, Halysites)
      • Crinoids (fragments)

      Geological Period: Silurian

      Stratigraphic Formation: Fitch Formation

      Public or Private Access: Private (no public access confirmed)

      Permit Requirements: Unknown

      Entry Fee: Not applicable

      Best Season to Visit: Unknown

      Dig Options: None (geological reference site)

      Tool Use Policy: Not applicable

      Nearby Facilities: None confirmed

      Contact Information: None available

      Famous Discoveries: None documented

      User Ratings and Reviews: No ratings available

   2. Beaver Brook

      Location: Kinsman Notch, Grafton County, NH, 03251GPS Coordinates: 44.0392, -71.7925Fossil Types Found:

      • Brachiopods (Acrospirifer, Atrypa, Leptocoelia, Leptostrophia, Protoleptostrophia)
      • Gastropods (Loxonema)

      Geological Period: Devonian

      Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown

      Public or Private Access: Public (access via hiking trails, no digging confirmed)

      Permit Requirements: None for observation; digging prohibited

      Entry Fee: Free

      Best Season to Visit: Summer

      Dig Options: None (observation only)

      Tool Use Policy: Tools not allowed

      Nearby Facilities: Parking at Kinsman Notch trailhead

      Contact Information: White Mountain National Forest

      Famous Discoveries: None documented

      User Ratings and Reviews: No ratings available

1. 1. Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve

      Location: Hamburg, Erie County, NY, 14075GPS Coordinates: 42.715, -78.829Fossil Types Found:

      • Trilobites
      • Brachiopods
      • Crinoids
      • Corals

      Geological Period: Devonian

      Stratigraphic Formation: Hamburg Shale

      Public or Private Access: Public

      Permit Requirements: None; ticket purchase required

      Entry Fee: $12 adults, $10 children (2025 rates)

      Best Season to Visit: April–October

      Dig Options: Self-guided, guided tours, educational programs

      Tool Use Policy: Tools provided or personal tools allowed

      Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking

      Contact Information: penndixie.org, (716) 627-4560, [email protected]

      Famous Discoveries: World’s Largest Fossil Dig (Guinness Record, 2018)

      User Ratings and Reviews: 4.8/5 (500 reviews)

Comparison Table

Fossil and Geological Tourism in New Hampshire

Discovering the best fossil dig sites in New Hampshire offers a unique glimpse into the state’s ancient past, though active fossil excavation opportunities are limited due to its metamorphic geology. For families and amateur paleontologists seeking fossil hunting in New Hampshire, the state’s geological outcrops, such as those in Littleton and Beaver Brook, provide educational observation points rather than hands-on digs. These sites, rich in Silurian and Devonian fossils like trilobites, brachiopods, and crinoids, are often on private land or protected, making rockhounding destinations in New Hampshire a more accessible alternative. Visitors can explore mineral collecting at sites like Moat Mountain or Ruggles Mine, complementing their prehistoric site tours. For those craving public dinosaur excavation areas, nearby states like New York offer world-class options, such as Penn Dixie Fossil Park, just a few hours’ drive away. New Hampshire’s geological tourism shines through its White Mountain trails and museums like the Nature Discovery Center in Warner, ideal for family fossil hunting trips. Low-cost paleontology tours in New Hampshire, such as guided hikes in Odiorne Point State Park to view ancient tree stumps, cater to beginners. While self-guided fossil digs in New Hampshire are rare, the state’s natural beauty and geological diversity make it a hub for paleontology field adventures. Common fossils in New Hampshire, like brachiopods and corals, reflect its ancient marine history, and rockhounding destinations offer a hands-on way to connect with this past. Plan your dinosaur dig vacations in New Hampshire by visiting state parks or museums, and consider day trips to fossil-rich regions for a complete jurassic fossil parks experience.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology_in_New_Hampshire)

Frequently Asked Questions About Fossil Digging