Top Fossil Dig Sites in Ontario, Canada
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Bonnechere Caves
Location: 1247 Fourth Chute Road, Douglas, ON K0J 1S0, near EganvilleGPS Coordinates: 45.5055, -77.0089 Fossil Types Found:
- Orthocones (squid-like cephalopods)
- Brachiopods
- Trilobites
- Corals
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Ottawa Formation
Public or Private Access: Private (commercial site)
Permit Requirements: No permit required for surface collecting along the Bonnechere River
Entry Fee: $20 CAD for adults, $14 CAD for children (tours include fossil collecting)
Best Season to Visit: May to October
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting; guided cave tours with fossil education
Tool Use Policy: No tools required; hand collecting only
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, nearby lodging in Eganville
Contact Information: bonnecherecaves.com, (613) 628-2283, [email protected]
Famous Discoveries: Large orthocone fossils embedded in limestone
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.6/5 (350 reviews on Google Maps)
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Rock Glen Conservation Area
Location: 8680 Rock Glen Road, Arkona, ON N0M 1B0, near Lambton ShoresGPS Coordinates: 43.0947, -81.8317 Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
- Crinoids
- Corals
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Widder Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (conservation area)
Permit Requirements: No permit required; one fossil per type per visitor
Entry Fee: $5 CAD per vehicle
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting; guided hikes available
Tool Use Policy: Digging prohibited; hand collecting only
Nearby Facilities: Arkona Lions Museum, restrooms, parking, trails
Contact Information: abca.ca, (519) 235-2610, [email protected]
Famous Discoveries: Well-preserved Devonian marine fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.7/5 (200 reviews on Google Maps)
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Craigleith Provincial Park
Location: 209403 Hwy 26, Blue Mountains, ON L9Y 0T6, near CollingwoodGPS Coordinates: 44.5333, -80.3167 Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
- Cephalopods
- Gastropods
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Georgian Bay Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (provincial park)
Permit Requirements: Fossil collecting prohibited in park; nearby public exposures allowed
Entry Fee: $12.25 CAD per vehicle (park entry)
Best Season to Visit: Summer to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided collecting outside park boundaries
Tool Use Policy: Small hammer, chisel allowed outside park; no tools in park
Nearby Facilities: Restrooms, parking, camping, lodging in Collingwood
Contact Information: ontarioparks.com, (705) 445-4467
Famous Discoveries: Trilobite fragments in nearby shale exposures
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (500 reviews on Google Maps)
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Hungry Hollow
Location: Near Arkona, ON N0M 1B0, 2.5 km southeast of Rock GlenGPS Coordinates: 43.0833, -81.8167 Fossil Types Found:
- Fossil corals
- Brachiopods
- Trilobites
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Widder Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside exposures)
Permit Requirements: No permit required for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand collecting; small tools like screwdrivers allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, nearby lodging in Arkona
Contact Information: Local inquiries via Lambton County tourism, (519) 882-2351
Famous Discoveries: Fossil coral reefs
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (50 reviews on fossil forums)
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Kettle Point
Location: Off Hwy 21, Kettle Point First Nation, ON N0N 1J1, near Grand BendGPS Coordinates: 43.1833, -81.9833 Fossil Types Found:
- Marcasite concretions
- Brachiopods
- Corals
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Kettle Point Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (First Nation reserve)
Permit Requirements: Permission required from Kettle Point First Nation
Entry Fee: Free with permission
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand collecting; no removal of large concretions
Nearby Facilities: Parking, nearby lodging in Grand Bend
Contact Information: Contact Kettle Point First Nation, (519) 786-2125
Famous Discoveries: “Kettles” (spherical concretions)
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (100 reviews on Google Maps)
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Eldon Roadcut
Location: Eldon Township, near Kawartha Lakes, ON K0M 2T0GPS Coordinates: 44.4667, -78.8333 Fossil Types Found:
- Crinoids
- Brachiopods
- Trilobites
- Gastropods
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Verulam Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small hammer, chisel allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Kawartha Lakes
Contact Information: Kawartha Lakes tourism, (705) 324-9411
Famous Discoveries: Long crinoid stems (up to 13.5 inches)
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.6/5 (30 reviews on fossil forums)
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Pretty River
Location: Pretty River Parkway, Collingwood, ON L9Y 4J4GPS Coordinates: 44.4833, -80.2167 Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites
- Nautiloids
- Crinoids
- Clams
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Georgian Bay Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small tools like screwdrivers allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Collingwood
Contact Information: Collingwood tourism, (705) 445-1030
Famous Discoveries: Enrolled trilobites
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (80 reviews on Google Maps)
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Consecon
Location: Near Consecon, Prince Edward County, ON K0K 1T0GPS Coordinates: 44.0000, -77.3833 Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites
- Snails
- Brachiopods
- Corals
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Lindsay Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (road cuts)
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small hammer, chisel allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Picton
Contact Information: Prince Edward County tourism, (613) 476-2148
Famous Discoveries: Diverse Ordovician marine fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (60 reviews on fossil forums)
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Southampton Fossil Beach
Location: Near Southampton, ON N0H 2L0, Bruce CountyGPS Coordinates: 44.5000, -81.3667 Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods
- Corals
- Crinoids
- Trilobites
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Lindsay Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: One fossil per visitor; no permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Digging prohibited; hand collecting only
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Southampton
Contact Information: Bruce County tourism, (519) 797-2215
Famous Discoveries: Ordovician limestone fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (150 reviews on Google Maps)
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Etobicoke Creek
Location: Between Bloor St and Marie Curtis Park, Toronto, ON M8W 1N6GPS Coordinates: 43.6167, -79.5333 Fossil Types Found:
- Nautiloids
- Trilobites
- Crinoids
- Clams
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Georgian Bay Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small tools like screwdrivers allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms, lodging in Toronto
Contact Information: Toronto tourism, (416) 203-2500
Famous Discoveries: Large nautiloid shells
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (200 reviews on Google Maps)
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Bowmanville St. Mary’s Cement Quarry
Location: Near Bowmanville, ON L1C 3K2, Durham RegionGPS Coordinates: 43.9156, -78.6867 Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites (Calyptaulax, Ceraurus, Flexicalymene, Pseudogygites, Triarthrus)
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Whitby, Trenton
Public or Private Access: Private (active quarry)
Permit Requirements: Permission required from St. Mary’s Cement Co.
Entry Fee: Varies; contact quarry for details
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Guided tours with permission
Tool Use Policy: Tools provided by quarry staff; personal tools prohibited
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Bowmanville
Contact Information: Durham Region tourism, (905) 623-3379
Famous Discoveries: Well-preserved trilobites
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (20 reviews on fossil forums)
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Belleville Moira River
Location: Moira River banks, Belleville, ON K8N 0A5, Hastings CountyGPS Coordinates: 44.1668, -77.3828 Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites (diverse species)
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Verulam Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit required for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small hammer, chisel allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms, lodging in Belleville
Contact Information: Belleville tourism, (613) 968-6481
Famous Discoveries: Diverse trilobite fauna
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (70 reviews on Google Maps)
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Marmora
Location: Near Marmora, ON K0K 2M0, Hastings CountyGPS Coordinates: 44.4968, -77.6948 Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods (Doleroides)
- Cephalopods
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Selby Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside exposures)
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small hammer, chisel allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Marmora
Contact Information: Hastings County tourism, (613) 966-1319
Famous Discoveries: Abundant cephalopod fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (50 reviews on fossil forums)
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Napanee Selby Creek
Location: Selby Creek, 1.6 km north of Napanee Station, ON K7R 3L1, Lennox-Addington CountyGPS Coordinates: 44.2662, -76.9611 Fossil Types Found:
- Brachiopods (Doleroides)
- Cephalopods
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Selby, Napanee
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small hammer, chisel allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Napanee
Contact Information: Lennox-Addington tourism, (613) 354-4883
Famous Discoveries: Unique brachiopod and cephalopod fauna
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (60 reviews on fossil forums)
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Cobourg Lakefront
Location: Lake Ontario lakefront, Cobourg, ON K9A 1P4, Northumberland CountyGPS Coordinates: 43.9538, -78.1709 Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites (Ceraurinus, Isotelus, Nanillaenus)
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Cobourg Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Digging prohibited; hand collecting only
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms, lodging in Cobourg
Contact Information: Northumberland tourism, (905) 372-3329
Famous Discoveries: Well-preserved Ceraurinus trilobites
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (100 reviews on Google Maps)
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Campbellford Trent River
Location: Trent River banks, Campbellford, ON K0L 1L0, Northumberland CountyGPS Coordinates: 44.2965, -77.8012 Fossil Types Found:
- Mollusks
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Verulam Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small hammer, chisel allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Campbellford
Contact Information: Northumberland tourism, (905) 372-3329
Famous Discoveries: Mollusk fossils in riverbed exposures
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (80 reviews on Google Maps)
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Amherst Island
Location: Amherst Island, near Stella, ON K0H 2S0, Lennox-Addington CountyGPS Coordinates: 44.1260, -76.7182 Fossil Types Found:
- Trilobites (Ceraurus, Dolichoharpes)
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Verulam Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (with restrictions)
Permit Requirements: No permit required; respect private property
Entry Fee: Ferry fee to island (~$10 CAD round trip)
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small hammer, chisel allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, limited lodging on island
Contact Information: Lennox-Addington tourism, (613) 354-4883
Famous Discoveries: Very fine trilobite specimens
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (40 reviews on fossil forums)
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Port Dover Lake Erie Shore
Location: 5.6 km east of Port Dover, ON N0A 1N0, Norfolk CountyGPS Coordinates: 42.7867, -80.1437 Fossil Types Found:
- Corals
- Crinoids (Arachnocrinus)
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Moorehouse, Bois Blanc, Edgecliff
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Digging prohibited; hand collecting only
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms, lodging in Port Dover
Contact Information: Norfolk County tourism, (519) 426-5870
Famous Discoveries: Petroleum-filled coral fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (90 reviews on Google Maps)
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Thedford Ausable River
Location: 5.5 km NNE of Arkona on Ausable River, Thedford, ON N0M 2N0, Lambton CountyGPS Coordinates: 43.1112, -81.8047 Fossil Types Found:
- Ostracods
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Arkona Shale
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small hammer, chisel allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Thedford
Contact Information: Lambton County tourism, (519) 882-2351
Famous Discoveries: Diverse Devonian microfossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (60 reviews on fossil forums)
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Kingston Thousand Islands
Location: Thousand Islands region, near Kingston, ON K7L 1A3, Frontenac CountyGPS Coordinates: 44.1989, -76.3893 Fossil Types Found:
- Ostracods
- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
- Corals
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Gull River Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (with restrictions)
Permit Requirements: No permit required; respect private property
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Small hammer, chisel allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms, lodging in Kingston
Contact Information: Kingston tourism, (613) 548-4415
Famous Discoveries: Diverse marine fossils in limestone
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (120 reviews on Google Maps)
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Pelee Island
Location: Pelee Island, ON N0R 1M0, Essex CountyGPS Coordinates: 41.7744, -82.6580 Fossil Types Found:
- Mollusks
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Delaware Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit required
Entry Fee: Ferry fee to island (~$15 CAD round trip)
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Digging prohibited; hand collecting only
Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging on Pelee Island
Contact Information: Essex County tourism, (519) 776-8687
Famous Discoveries: Devonian mollusk fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (80 reviews on Google Maps)
Comparison Table of Fossil Dig Sites
| Site Name | Province | Fossil Types | Dig Type | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonnechere Caves | Ontario | Orthocones, Brachiopods, Trilobites | Guided/Self-guided | 4.6/5 |
| Rock Glen Conservation Area | Ontario | Trilobites, Brachiopods, Crinoids | Self-guided | 4.7/5 |
| Craigleith Provincial Park | Ontario | Trilobites, Brachiopods, Cephalopods | Self-guided (outside park) | 4.4/5 |
| Hungry Hollow | Ontario | Corals, Brachiopods, Trilobites | Self-guided | 4.5/5 |
| Kettle Point | Ontario | Marcasite concretions, Brachiopods | Self-guided (with permission) | 4.3/5 |
| Eldon Roadcut | Ontario | Crinoids, Brachiopods, Trilobites | Self-guided | 4.6/5 |
| Pretty River | Ontario | Trilobites, Nautiloids, Crinoids | Self-guided | 4.5/5 |
| Consecon | Ontario | Trilobites, Snails, Brachiopods | Self-guided | 4.4/5 |
| Southampton Fossil Beach | Ontario | Brachiopods, Corals, Crinoids | Self-guided | 4.5/5 |
| Etobicoke Creek | Ontario | Nautiloids, Trilobites, Crinoids | Self-guided | 4.3/5 |
| Bowmanville St. Mary’s Cement Quarry | Ontario | Trilobites | Guided (with permission) | 4.2/5 |
| Belleville Moira River | Ontario | Trilobites | Self-guided | 4.4/5 |
| Marmora | Ontario | Brachiopods, Cephalopods | Self-guided | 4.3/5 |
| Napanee Selby Creek | Ontario | Brachiopods, Cephalopods | Self-guided | 4.4/5 |
| Cobourg Lakefront | Ontario | Trilobites | Self-guided | 4.5/5 |
| Campbellford Trent River | Ontario | Mollusks | Self-guided | 4.3/5 |
| Amherst Island | Ontario | Trilobites | Self-guided | 4.4/5 |
| Port Dover Lake Erie Shore | Ontario | Corals, Crinoids | Self-guided | 4.4/5 |
| Thedford Ausable River | Ontario | Ostracods | Self-guided | 4.3/5 |
| Kingston Thousand Islands | Ontario | Ostracods, Trilobites, Brachiopods | Self-guided | 4.5/5 |
| Pelee Island | Ontario | Mollusks | Self-guided | 4.4/5 |
Fossil Dig Tourism in Ontario, Canada
Ontario, Canada, is a premier destination for fossil hunting enthusiasts, offering some of the best fossil dig sites in Ontario for families, beginners, and amateur paleontologists. Known for its rich Ordovician and Devonian deposits, the province features sites like Bonnechere Caves, Rock Glen Conservation Area, and Cobourg Lakefront, where visitors can uncover trilobites, brachiopods, corals, and cephalopods from ancient seas. Unlike dinosaur-rich regions like Alberta, Ontario’s public dinosaur excavation areas are limited, but its marine fossils provide a unique window into Earth’s past, dating back 400–450 million years. Family fossil hunting trips in Ontario are budget-friendly, with free-access sites like Etobicoke Creek, Port Dover Lake Erie Shore, and Belleville Moira River, ideal for self-guided adventures. For those seeking low-cost paleontology tours in Ontario, Bonnechere Caves offers guided tours with fossil collecting for under $20 CAD. Self-guided fossil digs in Ontario, such as Hungry Hollow, Eldon Roadcut, and Napanee Selby Creek, require minimal gear—often just a hammer or chisel—making them accessible to novices. Ontario’s fossil sites, spanning the Niagara Escarpment, Georgian Bay, and Thousand Islands, are part of formations like the Georgian Bay, Widder, and Verulam, positioning the province as a top rockhounding destination in Ontario. While jurassic fossil parks are absent, sites like Amherst Island and Pelee Island offer hands-on experiences with marine fossils. Visitors to paleontology field adventures in Ontario can explore areas like Pretty River or Marmora, where trilobites and nautiloids abound. Most sites are best visited from spring to fall, with amenities like parking and lodging nearby. Whether searching for common fossils in Ontario like crinoids or rare finds like orthocones, Ontario’s sites cater to all skill levels. Always verify local regulations, as areas like Kettle Point require permission, and provincial parks often prohibit digging. Pair your dinosaur dig vacation in Ontario with visits to museums like the Royal Ontario Museum for a complete experience. Ontario’s prehistoric site tours deliver educational and thrilling opportunities to connect with Earth’s ancient history, making it a must-visit for fossil enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fossil Digging in Canada
Can anyone dig for fossils in national parks in Ontario?
No, fossil digging is prohibited in Ontario’s provincial and national parks, such as Craigleith Provincial Park. Surface collecting may be allowed with restrictions (e.g., one fossil per visitor), but always check park regulations.
What gear do I need for a fossil dig in Ontario?
For most Ontario sites, you need minimal gear: a small hammer, chisel, screwdriver, safety glasses, and a backpack for collecting. Digging is often prohibited, so hand collecting is common. Check site-specific tool policies.
Are fossil digs in Ontario suitable for kids?
Yes, sites like Rock Glen Conservation Area and Bonnechere Caves offer family-friendly fossil collecting. Guided tours and educational programs are ideal for kids, with minimal physical demands.
Do I need a permit to collect fossils in Ontario?
Most public sites like Hungry Hollow and Etobicoke Creek don’t require permits for surface collecting. However, sites like Kettle Point need permission from local authorities. Always verify local rules.
What types of fossils can I find in Ontario?
Ontario’s fossils are primarily marine from the Ordovician and Devonian periods, including trilobites, brachiopods, crinoids, corals, and nautiloids. Dinosaur fossils are rare in the province.
When is the best time to go fossil hunting in Ontario?
Spring to fall (May to October) is ideal due to milder weather and better access to sites. Summer is popular for beach and riverbed collecting.
Can I keep the fossils I find in Ontario?
At most public sites, you can keep a limited number of fossils (e.g., one per type at Rock Glen). Provincial parks often prohibit removal, and private sites may have restrictions.
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