Best Fossil Dig Sites in New York and Nearby States
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Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve
Location: Blasdell, Erie County, NY, 14219 GPS Coordinates: 42.7761, -78.8307
Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites (Phacops, Greenops)
- Brachiopods
- Crinoids
- Corals (Pleurodictyum)
- Cephalopods
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Windom 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)
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Eighteen Mile Creek
Location: Hamburg, Erie County, NY, 14075 GPS Coordinates: 42.7109, -78.9672
Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites (Phacops, Eldredgeops)
- Brachiopods (Athyris, Spinocyrtia)
- Corals
- Bivalves (Palaeoneilo)
- Fish remains
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Wanakah Shale, North Evans Limestone
Public or Private Access: Public (creek bed)
Permit Requirements: None; collecting allowed in talus
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed; no cliff digging
Nearby Facilities: Parking at trailhead
Contact Information: None available
Famous Discoveries: Diverse fish teeth (Coccosteus, Dinomylostoma)
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (40 reviews)
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Rickard Hill Road
Location: Schoharie, Schoharie County, NY, 12157 GPS Coordinates: 42.667, -74.302
Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Sponges
- Corals
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Manlius Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: None; collecting allowed in gravel slope
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking on shoulder
Contact Information: None available
Famous Discoveries: None documented
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews)
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Tully Roadcut
Location: Tully, Onondaga County, NY, 13159 GPS Coordinates: 42.798, -76.129
Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Trilobites
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Tully Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: None; collecting allowed in exposed shale
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None available
Famous Discoveries: None documented
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (15 reviews)
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Seneca Lake Shoreline
Location: Willard, Seneca County, NY, 14588 GPS Coordinates: 42.672, -76.868
Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Trilobites
- Corals
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Moscow Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (lakefront access)
Permit Requirements: None; collecting allowed in shallows
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Summer–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking at nature walk
Contact Information: None available
Famous Discoveries: None documented
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (30 reviews)
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Gilboa Fossil Forest
Location: Gilboa, Schoharie County, NY, 12076 GPS Coordinates: 42.398, -74.446
Fossil Types Found:
- Plants (tree stumps)
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Manlius Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (museum/park)
Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Observation only
Tool Use Policy: Tools not allowed
Nearby Facilities: Gilboa Museum, parking
Contact Information: gilboafossils.org, (518) 827-8696
Famous Discoveries: One of the oldest fossil forests (1920s)
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (100 reviews)
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St. Clair Fossil Beds
Location: St. Clair, Schuylkill County, PA, 17970 GPS Coordinates: 40.716, -76.142
Fossil Types Found:
- Fern leaves
- Plant fossils
Geological Period: Carboniferous
Stratigraphic Formation: Llewellyn Formation
Public or Private Access: Private (public access with permission)
Permit Requirements: Permission from landowner
Entry Fee: Varies
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None available
Famous Discoveries: Well-preserved plant fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (50 reviews)
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Poricy Park Fossil Beds
Location: Middletown, Monmouth County, NJ, 07748 GPS Coordinates: 40.375, -74.106
Fossil Types Found:
- Oysters
- Brachiopods
- Belemnites
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Navesink Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: None
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided, guided tours
Tool Use Policy: Tools available for rent
Nearby Facilities: Nature center, parking
Contact Information: poricypark.org, (732) 842-5966
Famous Discoveries: None documented
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.6/5 (200 reviews)
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Dinosaur State Park
Location: Rocky Hill, Hartford County, CT, 06067 GPS Coordinates: 41.651, -72.657
Fossil Types Found:
- Dinosaur tracks
Geological Period: Jurassic
Stratigraphic Formation: Portland Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
Entry Fee: $6 adults, $2 children
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Observation only
Tool Use Policy: Tools not allowed
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking
Contact Information: dinosaurstatepark.org, (860) 529-8423
Famous Discoveries: Over 2,000 dinosaur tracks
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.7/5 (300 reviews)
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Swatara Fossil Park
Location: Swatara, Lebanon County, PA, 17046 GPS Coordinates: 40.482, -76.535
Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
- Corals
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Mahantango Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: None
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring–Fall
Dig Options: Self-guided
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking
Contact Information: None available
Famous Discoveries: None documented
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (75 reviews)
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Comparison Table
| Site Name | State | Fossil Types | Dig Type | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Dixie Fossil Park | NY | Trilobites, Brachiopods, Crinoids | Guided/Self-guided | 4.8/5 |
| Eighteen Mile Creek | NY | Trilobites, Brachiopods, Fish | Self-guided | 4.3/5 |
| Rickard Hill Road | NY | Brachiopods, Sponges | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Tully Roadcut | NY | Brachiopods, Trilobites | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Seneca Lake Shoreline | NY | Brachiopods, Trilobites | Self-guided | 4.2/5 |
| Gilboa Fossil Forest | NY | Plant Fossils | Observation | 4.5/5 |
| St. Clair Fossil Beds | PA | Fern Leaves, Plants | Self-guided | 4.4/5 |
| Poricy Park Fossil Beds | NJ | Oysters, Brachiopods | Guided/Self-guided | 4.6/5 |
| Dinosaur State Park | CT | Dinosaur Tracks | Observation | 4.7/5 |
| Swatara Fossil Park | PA | Trilobites, Brachiopods | Self-guided | 4.5/5 |
Fossil Dig Tourism in New York
Exploring the best fossil dig sites in New York offers an exciting journey into the state’s ancient past, perfect for families, beginners, and amateur paleontologists seeking hands-on adventure. Renowned for its Devonian fossil treasures, New York boasts public dinosaur excavation areas like Penn Dixie Fossil Park in Blasdell, where visitors unearth trilobites, brachiopods, and corals in a former quarry, making it a top choice for family fossil hunting trips in New York. Common fossils in New York, such as crinoids and cephalopods, thrive in sites like Eighteen Mile Creek in Hamburg, ideal for low-cost paleontology tours in New York. Self-guided fossil digs in New York, including Tully Roadcut and Seneca Lake Shoreline, invite enthusiasts to explore exposed shales for marine fossils from 380 million years ago, establishing these as premier rockhounding destinations in New York. While dinosaur dig vacations in New York are limited due to the absence of Mesozoic strata, observation sites like Gilboa Fossil Forest showcase ancient plant fossils, enriching prehistoric site tours in New York. The state’s fossil hunting status shines through its proximity to regional hotspots like Poricy Park in New Jersey, where Cretaceous oysters await discovery. For those wondering where to find fossils in New York, sites along the Finger Lakes and Western New York roadcuts provide accessible paleontology field adventures in New York. Institutions like the Paleontological Research Institution in Ithaca enhance jurassic fossil parks in New York with educational programs. Despite restrictions on federal lands, New York’s shale outcrops and temperate climate make it a year-round hub for fossil hunting New York, inviting visitors to uncover the ancient seas that once covered the region.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fossil Digging in the USA
Can anyone dig for fossils in national parks in New York?
No, collecting fossils in national parks or state lands in New York is illegal without a permit. Stick to designated public sites like Penn Dixie Fossil Park.
What gear do I need for a fossil dig in New York?
Bring a rock hammer, chisel, safety goggles, gloves, and a bucket for sites like Penn Dixie. For creek beds, sturdy shoes and a sifter are useful.
Are there guided fossil digs in New York?
Yes, Penn Dixie Fossil Park offers guided tours and educational programs. The Paleontological Research Institution in Ithaca also organizes group trips.
Can I keep fossils I find in New York?
You can keep fossils from public sites like Penn Dixie or creek beds, but not from state/federal lands or private property without permission.
What’s the best season for fossil hunting in New York?
Spring and fall are ideal for fossil hunting in New York due to mild weather and exposed rocks after rains. Summer is also good for creek sites.
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