21+ Fossil Dig Sites in Washington, USA
-
Stonerose Interpretive Center
Location: 15-1 N Clark Ave, Republic, WA 99166, USA
GPS Coordinates: 48.6478, -118.7392
Fossil Types Found:- Plants (Ginkgo, magnolia, elm, Douglas fir)
- Insects (uncommon)
- Fish (uncommon)
Geological Period: Eocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Klondike Mountain Formation
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit required; digging allowed during open hours
Entry Fee: $10 per person (children under 6 free)
Best Season to Visit: May to October
Dig Options: Self-guided digging; educational programs available
Tool Use Policy: Rock hammer and chisel available for rent ($5); personal tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, lodging in Republic
Contact Information: stonerosefossil.org, (509) 775-2295, [email protected]
Famous Discoveries: 450+ plant taxa, rare insect and fish fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.8/5 (120 reviews) -
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Location: 4511 Huntzinger Rd, Vantage, WA 98950, USA
GPS Coordinates: 46.9481, -120.0353
Fossil Types Found:- Petrified wood (maple, oak, redwood, Ginkgo)
- Plant fossils
Geological Period: Miocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Wanapum Basalt
Public or Private Access: Public (collecting restricted)
Permit Requirements: Collecting prohibited without scientific permit
Entry Fee: $10 Discover Pass for parking
Best Season to Visit: Spring and fall
Dig Options: No digging; self-guided trails and interpretive center
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, camping nearby
Contact Information: parks.wa.gov, (509) 856-2700
Famous Discoveries: 50+ species of petrified wood, including rare Ginkgo
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (200 reviews) -
Murdock Beach
Location: Near Port Angeles, Clallam County, WA 98363, USA
GPS Coordinates: 48.1529, -123.8608
Fossil Types Found:- Agatized mollusk shells
- Plants in concretions
Geological Period: Unknown
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public beach
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting; check local regulations
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Year-round, low tide preferred
Dig Options: Surface collecting only
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed; avoid damaging cliffs
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms or visitor center
Contact Information: None; check pnwbeachcombing.com
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (50 reviews) -
Racehorse Creek Landslide
Location: Near Bellingham, Whatcom County, WA 98226, USA
GPS Coordinates: 48.8646, -122.0754
Fossil Types Found:- Plants (palms, ferns, deciduous trees)
Geological Period: Eocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Chuckanut Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (access via 3km hike)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting; digging may require permission
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Surface collecting; limited digging
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: None; parking at trailhead
Contact Information: None; see nwgeology.wordpress.com
Famous Discoveries: Abundant plant fossils from Eocene lakebeds
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (30 reviews) -
Clallam Bay
Location: Clallam Bay, Clallam County, WA 98326, USA
GPS Coordinates: 48.2632, -124.2513
Fossil Types Found:- Mollusks (bivalves, Pecten)
- Vertebrates (unidentified)
Geological Period: Unknown
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public beach
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Year-round, low tide
Dig Options: Surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (40 reviews) -
Neah Bay
Location: Neah Bay, Clallam County, WA 98357, USA
GPS Coordinates: 48.3781, -124.6131
Fossil Types Found:- Crabs (Branchioplax)
Geological Period: Eocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Twin River Formation
Public or Private Access: Public beach
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Year-round, low tide
Dig Options: Surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms nearby
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Eocene crab fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (60 reviews) -
Twin Rivers
Location: Near Port Angeles, Clallam County, WA 98363, USA
GPS Coordinates: 48.1642, -123.9567
Fossil Types Found:- Mollusks (Pecten, nautiloids, gastropods)
- Vertebrate fragments
Geological Period: Oligocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (access may be restricted)
Permit Requirements: Check local regulations
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Year-round, low tide
Dig Options: Surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (30 reviews) -
Cowlitz River (Big Bend)
Location: Near Castle Rock, Cowlitz County, WA 98611, USA
GPS Coordinates: 46.4087, -122.93
Fossil Types Found:- Mollusks (nautiloids, gastropods)
Geological Period: Unknown
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (access may be restricted)
Permit Requirements: Likely required for digging
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.8/5 (20 reviews) -
Saddle Mountains
Location: Near Smyrna, Grant County, WA 99357, USA
GPS Coordinates: 46.8068, -119.5567
Fossil Types Found:- Petrified wood
- Plants (walnut)
Geological Period: Miocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (collecting restricted)
Permit Requirements: Permit required for collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: No digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (25 reviews) -
Bellingham (Chuckanut Drive)
Location: South of Bellingham, Whatcom County, WA 98225, USA
GPS Coordinates: 48.6765, -122.4885
Fossil Types Found:- Plants (palms, ferns)
Geological Period: Eocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Chuckanut Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (road cuts)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Year-round
Dig Options: Surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Eocene palm fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (35 reviews) -
Sucia Island (Fossil Bay)
Location: Sucia Island, San Juan County, WA 98245, USA
GPS Coordinates: 48.7529, -122.9050
Fossil Types Found:- Marine invertebrates (ammonoids)
Geological Period: Cretaceous
Stratigraphic Formation: Cedar District Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (boat access only)
Permit Requirements: No collecting without permit
Entry Fee: Free (boating fees may apply)
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: No digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Camping, no restrooms
Contact Information: parks.wa.gov
Famous Discoveries: Cretaceous ammonoids
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (80 reviews) -
Metaline Falls
Location: Metaline Falls, Pend Oreille County, WA 99153, USA
GPS Coordinates: 48.8527, -117.3499
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Metaline Limestone
Public or Private Access: Private (quarry access restricted)
Permit Requirements: Permit required
Entry Fee: Unknown
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: No public digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Cambrian trilobites
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.7/5 (15 reviews) -
White Bluffs
Location: Near Pasco, Franklin County, WA 99350, USA
GPS Coordinates: 46.6736, -119.4600
Fossil Types Found:- Mammals (bears)
Geological Period: Pliocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Ringold Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (collecting restricted)
Permit Requirements: Permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: No digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Pliocene bear fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (20 reviews) -
Blue Lake (Coulee City)
Location: Near Coulee City, Grant County, WA 99115, USA
GPS Coordinates: 47.563, -119.4576
Fossil Types Found:- Mammals (rhinoceros mold)
Geological Period: Miocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (collecting restricted)
Permit Requirements: Permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: No digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Rhinoceros mold in lava flow
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (25 reviews) -
Hoquiam (Lincoln School)
Location: Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County, WA 98550, USA
GPS Coordinates: 46.9916, -123.8898
Fossil Types Found:- Echinoderms (Scutella)
Geological Period: Miocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Private (access restricted)
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: Unknown
Best Season to Visit: Year-round
Dig Options: No digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.6/5 (10 reviews) -
Porter (WA12)
Location: Porter, Grays Harbor County, WA 98541, USA
GPS Coordinates: 46.9395, -123.3119
Fossil Types Found:- Crabs
- Mollusks (gastropods)
Geological Period: Oligocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Year-round
Dig Options: Surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.8/5 (15 reviews) -
Vader (Olequa Creek)
Location: Vader, Lewis County, WA 98593, USA
GPS Coordinates: 46.3935, -123.6850
Fossil Types Found:- Mollusks
Geological Period: Eocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (access may be restricted)
Permit Requirements: Likely required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.7/5 (10 reviews) -
Knappton (Lumber Mill)
Location: Knappton, Pacific County, WA 98638, USA
GPS Coordinates: 46.2765, -123.8149
Fossil Types Found:- Mollusks
Geological Period: Oligocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Private (access restricted)
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: Unknown
Best Season to Visit: Year-round
Dig Options: No digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.6/5 (10 reviews) -
Clear Lake (USAF Recreation Area)
Location: Near Spokane, Spokane County, WA 99022, USA
GPS Coordinates: 47.5189, -117.6926
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Amecephalus, Glossopleura)
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (military access may apply)
Permit Requirements: Check military regulations
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Recreation area facilities
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Cambrian trilobites
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews) -
Addy Quartzite
Location: Addy, Stevens County, WA 99101, USA
GPS Coordinates: 48.3561, -117.8364
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Nevadia, Olenellus)
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Addy Quartzite
Public or Private Access: Public (access may be restricted)
Permit Requirements: Likely required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Summer
Dig Options: Surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Cambrian trilobites
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.8/5 (15 reviews) -
Yakima Ridge
Location: East of Yakima, Yakima County, WA 98901, USA
GPS Coordinates: 46.5718, -120.1928
Fossil Types Found:- Petrified wood
Geological Period: Unknown
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (collecting restricted)
Permit Requirements: Permit required
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: No digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (20 reviews)
Comparison Table of Fossil Dig Sites in Washington
| Site Name | State | Fossil Types | Dig Type | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stonerose Interpretive Center | Washington | Plants, insects, fish | Self-guided | 4.8/5 |
| Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park | Washington | Petrified wood, plants | No digging | 4.5/5 |
| Murdock Beach | Washington | Mollusks, plants | Surface collecting | 4.2/5 |
| Racehorse Creek Landslide | Washington | Plants | Surface collecting | 4.3/5 |
| Clallam Bay | Washington | Mollusks, vertebrates | Surface collecting | 4.0/5 |
| Neah Bay | Washington | Crabs | Surface collecting | 4.1/5 |
| Twin Rivers | Washington | Mollusks, vertebrates | Surface collecting | 4.0/5 |
| Cowlitz River (Big Bend) | Washington | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 3.8/5 |
| Saddle Mountains | Washington | Petrified wood, plants | No digging | 3.9/5 |
| Bellingham (Chuckanut Drive) | Washington | Plants | Surface collecting | 4.2/5 |
| Sucia Island (Fossil Bay) | Washington | Marine invertebrates | No digging | 4.4/5 |
| Metaline Falls | Washington | Trilobites, brachiopods | No digging | 3.7/5 |
| White Bluffs | Washington | Mammals | No digging | 3.9/5 |
| Blue Lake (Coulee City) | Washington | Mammals | No digging | 4.0/5 |
| Hoquiam (Lincoln School) | Washington | Echinoderms | No digging | 3.6/5 |
| Porter (WA12) | Washington | Crabs, mollusks | Surface collecting | 3.8/5 |
| Vader (Olequa Creek) | Washington | Mollusks | Surface collecting | 3.7/5 |
| Knappton (Lumber Mill) | Washington | Mollusks | No digging | 3.6/5 |
| Clear Lake (USAF Recreation Area) | Washington | Trilobites | Surface collecting | 4.0/5 |
| Addy Quartzite | Washington | Trilobites | Surface collecting | 3.8/5 |
| Yakima Ridge | Washington | Petrified wood | No digging | 3.9/5 |
Fossil Dig Tourism in Washington: A Prehistoric Adventure
Washington State is a treasure trove for fossil hunting in Washington, offering some of the best fossil dig sites in Washington for families, beginners, and seasoned rockhounds. From the Eocene lakebeds of the Stonerose Interpretive Center in Republic, where visitors can unearth 50-million-year-old plants and insects, to the Miocene petrified forests of Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park near Vantage, Washington’s geological diversity fuels unforgettable dinosaur dig vacations in Washington. Coastal sites like Murdock Beach and Clallam Bay beckon with agatized mollusks and Eocene crabs, ideal for family fossil hunting trips in Washington. The Chuckanut Formation near Bellingham, including Racehorse Creek Landslide, yields lush Eocene plant fossils, making it a top rockhounding destination in Washington. While strict regulations limit collecting on public lands, sites like Stonerose offer low-cost paleontology tours in Washington with a $10 entry fee, ensuring accessibility for all. The common fossils in Washington span marine invertebrates, petrified wood, and rare vertebrate finds, such as the 2015 theropod femur from the San Juan Islands. For self-guided fossil digs in Washington, spring and fall provide mild weather, with sites like Neah Bay and Porter offering free surface collecting. Jurassic fossil parks in Washington may be scarce, but Cretaceous ammonoids at Sucia Island captivate boaters. Facilities like visitor centers at Stonerose and Ginkgo enhance prehistoric site tours in Washington, while remote sites like White Bluffs and Blue Lake appeal to adventurers. Whether chasing trilobites in Metaline Falls or petrified wood along Yakima Ridge, Washington’s paleontology field adventures connect visitors to Earth’s ancient past, fostering a passion for science and discovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fossil Digging in Washington
Can anyone dig for fossils in national parks in Washington?
No, fossil collecting in National Park Service areas, like Olympic National Park, is prohibited to preserve scientific resources. Take photos and report finds to rangers.
What gear do I need for a fossil dig in Washington?
For sites like Stonerose, bring a rock hammer, chisel, gloves, and a container. Check site rules, as some provide tools.
Are there guided fossil tours in Washington?
Stonerose offers educational programs, but guided tours are rare. Self-guided digging with staff assistance is common.
What are the best months for fossil hunting in Washington?
May to October is ideal for sites like Stonerose, with mild weather and open access. Winter may bring closures.
Can I keep fossils I find in Washington?
At Stonerose, you can keep fossils. Most public lands, like Ginkgo Petrified Forest, prohibit collecting without permits.
Are fossil digs in Washington safe for kids?
Yes, sites like Stonerose are family-friendly with safe digging areas and educational programs for kids.
Do I need a permit to collect fossils on Washington beaches?
Surface collecting on public beaches like Murdock Beach typically doesn’t require a permit, but check local regulations.
Leave a Reply