Best Fossil Dig Sites in New Mexico and Nearby States
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Ghost Ranch
Location: Abiquiu, Rio Arriba County, NM, 87510 GPS Coordinates: 36.329, -106.474
Fossil Types Found:
- Dinosaur bones (Coelophysis)
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
Geological Period: Triassic
Stratigraphic Formation: Chinle Formation
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Registration for paleontology programs required
Entry Fee: Varies ($500–$2,000 for weeklong programs)
Best Season to Visit: Summer–Fall
Dig Options: Guided tours, educational programs
Tool Use Policy: Tools provided by instructors
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, lodging, parking
Contact Information: ghostranch.org, (505) 685-1000, [email protected]
Famous Discoveries: Coelophysis bone bed (1947, hundreds of skeletons)
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.7/5 (200 reviews)
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Prehistoric Trackways National Monument
Location: Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, NM, 88005 GPS Coordinates: 32.353, -106.904
Fossil Types Found:
- Dimetrodon tracks
- Insect traces
- Marine fossils (brachiopods, sea lilies)
Geological Period: Permian
Stratigraphic Formation: Robledo Mountains Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Guided tours (observation only)
Tool Use Policy: Tools not allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, ranger-led hikes
Contact Information: blm.gov, (575) 525-4300
Famous Discoveries: Dimetrodon footprints
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (50 reviews)
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Clayton Lake State Park
Location: Clayton, Union County, NM, 88415 GPS Coordinates: 36.573, -103.305
Fossil Types Found:
- Dinosaur tracks (ornithopods)
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Dakota Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
Entry Fee: $5 per vehicle
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided (observation only)
Tool Use Policy: Tools not allowed
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, camping
Contact Information: emnrd.nm.gov, (575) 374-8808
Famous Discoveries: Over 500 dinosaur tracks
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.6/5 (150 reviews)
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Apache Hill
Location: Lake Valley, Sierra County, NM, 87936 GPS Coordinates: 32.737, -107.571
Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Bryozoans
- Crinoid plates
- Gastropods
- Trilobites
Geological Period: Paleozoic
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (BLM land)
Permit Requirements: Casual collection allowed (up to 25 lbs/day, invertebrates only)
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed, no powered tools
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: blm.gov, (575) 525-4300
Famous Discoveries: None documented
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews)
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Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
Location: Farmington, San Juan County, NM, 87401 GPS Coordinates: 36.287, -108.235
Fossil Types Found:
- Petrified logs
- Dinosaur bones (rare)
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Fruitland Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided (observation only)
Tool Use Policy: Tools not allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking
Contact Information: blm.gov, (505) 564-7600
Famous Discoveries: Large fossil logs
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.8/5 (300 reviews)
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Robledo Mountains
Location: Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, NM, 88005 GPS Coordinates: 32.404, -106.901
Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Crinoids
- Corals
Geological Period: Paleozoic
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (BLM land)
Permit Requirements: Casual collection allowed (invertebrates only)
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: blm.gov, (575) 525-4300
Famous Discoveries: None documented
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (30 reviews)
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Manzano Mountains
Location: Belen, Valencia County, NM, 87002 GPS Coordinates: 34.649, -106.413
Fossil Types Found:
- Crinoids
- Shell fossils
Geological Period: Paleozoic
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: Casual collection allowed (invertebrates only)
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: blm.gov, (505) 761-8700
Famous Discoveries: None documented
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (15 reviews)
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Fossil Hill
Location: Rio Rancho, Sandoval County, NM, 87124 GPS Coordinates: 35.298, -106.703
Fossil Types Found:
- Sea critters
- Shell fossils
Geological Period: Paleozoic
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: Casual collection allowed (invertebrates only)
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: blm.gov, (505) 761-8700
Famous Discoveries: None documented
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (25 reviews)
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Dinosaur Valley State Park
Location: Glen Rose, Somervell County, TX, 76043 GPS Coordinates: 32.255, -97.814
Fossil Types Found:
- Dinosaur tracks
- Sauropod bones
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Glen Rose Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
Entry Fee: $7 adults, free for children under 12
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided (observation only)
Tool Use Policy: Tools not allowed
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, camping
Contact Information: tpwd.texas.gov, (254) 897-4588
Famous Discoveries: Sauropod and theropod tracks
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.7/5 (1000 reviews)
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Florissant Fossil Quarry
Location: Florissant, Teller County, CO, 80816 GPS Coordinates: 38.913, -105.286
Fossil Types Found:
- Plants
- Insects
- Fish (rare)
Geological Period: Eocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Florissant Formation
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Ticket purchase required
Entry Fee: $15 adults, $10 children
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Self-guided, guided tours
Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
Nearby Facilities: Restrooms, parking
Contact Information: florissantfossilquarry.com, (719) 748-3275
Famous Discoveries: Well-preserved insect fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.8/5 (200 reviews)
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Comparison Table
| Site Name | State | Fossil Types | Dig Type | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost Ranch | NM | Dinosaur bones, Reptiles | Guided/Educational | 4.7/5 |
| Prehistoric Trackways | NM | Dimetrodon tracks, Marine fossils | Guided (Observation) | 4.5/5 |
| Clayton Lake State Park | NM | Dinosaur tracks | Self-guided (Observation) | 4.6/5 |
| Apache Hill | NM | Brachiopods, Trilobites | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Dinosaur Valley State Park | TX | Dinosaur tracks, Sauropod bones | Self-guided (Observation) | 4.7/5 |
| Florissant Fossil Quarry | CO | Plants, Insects | Guided/Self-guided | 4.8/5 |
Fossil Dig Tourism in New Mexico
Exploring the best fossil dig sites in New Mexico offers an unforgettable journey into the prehistoric past, perfect for families, beginners, and amateur fossil hunters. Known as the “Land of Enchantment,” New Mexico boasts a fossil record spanning over 500 million years, making it a top destination for fossil hunting in New Mexico. Public dinosaur excavation areas in New Mexico, like Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, provide hands-on paleontology field adventures, where visitors can join guided tours to uncover Triassic dinosaur bones like Coelophysis, the state fossil. For those seeking low-cost paleontology tours in New Mexico, sites like Apache Hill and Robledo Mountains allow casual collection of brachiopods and trilobites on BLM lands, ideal for family fossil hunting trips in New Mexico. Observation-focused sites, such as Prehistoric Trackways National Monument near Las Cruces, showcase Permian Dimetrodon tracks, while Clayton Lake State Park’s dinosaur footprints captivate visitors on self-guided fossil digs in New Mexico. Common fossils in New Mexico include marine invertebrates and petrified logs, found in places like Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, enhancing prehistoric site tours in New Mexico. Although strict regulations limit vertebrate fossil collecting, rockhounding destinations in New Mexico offer accessible alternatives for collecting minerals and invertebrates. Dinosaur dig vacations in New Mexico are enriched by museums like the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science in Albuquerque, where volunteers can train in fossil preparation. The state’s rugged landscapes and year-round mild climate make it a hub for jurassic fossil parks in New Mexico, though nearby states like Texas and Colorado provide additional dig sites for a broader paleontology adventure. Whether you’re combing BLM lands for trilobites or marveling at Cretaceous trackways, New Mexico’s fossil hunting state offers something for every enthusiast. Plan your visit to where to find fossils in New Mexico and uncover the ancient wonders of this paleontological paradise.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology_in_New_Mexico)[](https://www.newmexicomagazine.org/blog/post/the-land-of-the-giants-85194/)
Frequently Asked Questions About Fossil Digging in the USA
Can anyone dig for fossils in national parks in New Mexico?
No, collecting fossils in national parks or monuments, like Prehistoric Trackways, is illegal without a permit. Observation is allowed, but take photos and report finds to rangers.
[](https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/faq/fossils/)
What gear do I need for a fossil dig in New Mexico?
For sites like Apache Hill, bring hand tools (trowel, brush), safety goggles, gloves, and a backpack. For observation sites, a camera and GPS are sufficient. Check site rules first.
[](https://www.myfossil.org/collecting-sites-destinations/)
Are there guided fossil digs in New Mexico?
Yes, Ghost Ranch offers guided paleontology programs with expert-led digs. Prehistoric Trackways provides ranger-led tours, but these are observation-focused.
[](https://www.newmexicomagazine.org/blog/post/the-land-of-the-giants-85194/)
Can I keep fossils I find in New Mexico?
Invertebrate and plant fossils can be collected on BLM lands (up to 25 lbs/day) without a permit. Vertebrate fossils require permits and cannot be collected on federal lands.
[](https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/faq/fossils/)
What’s the best season for fossil hunting in New Mexico?
Spring and fall are ideal due to mild weather and better visibility of exposed rocks. Summer can be hot, and winter may bring snow in northern areas.
[](https://www.newmexicomagazine.org/blog/post/the-land-of-the-giants-85194/)
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