21+ Fossil Dig Sites in West Virginia, USA
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Lost River Roadside Quarry
Location: WV55/US48, Wardensville, WV 26851, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.0751, -78.5978
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Phacops, Eldredgeops)
- Brachiopods
- Corals
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Needmore 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: Hand tools recommended; avoid digging into cliffs
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Wardensville
Contact Information: fossilguy.com
Famous Discoveries: Well-preserved Phacops trilobites
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (50 reviews) -
Cacapon River (Yellow Spring)
Location: Capon River Rd, Yellow Spring, WV 26865, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.1894, -78.5098
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Coronura, Phacops)
- Brachiopods
- Ammonoids (Agoniatites)
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Needmore Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (riverbank)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting; check land ownership
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed; avoid digging
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Wardensville
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (30 reviews) -
Wardensville (WV55 East)
Location: WV55, 3km E of Wardensville, WV 26851, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.0912, -78.5768
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Greenops, Phacops)
- Brachiopods
- Corals
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Mahantango Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Wardensville
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (35 reviews) -
Lost River (WV259)
Location: WV259, Lost River, WV 26810, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.047, -78.7404
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Basidechenella, Phacops)
- Brachiopods
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Needmore Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Wardensville
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (30 reviews) -
Capon Lake (WV259)
Location: WV259, Capon Lake, WV 26823, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.1562, -78.5374
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Phacops, Basidechenella)
- Brachiopods
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Needmore Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside quarry)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Wardensville
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (25 reviews) -
Baker (WV259)
Location: WV259, Baker, WV 26801, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.0371, -78.7484
Fossil Types Found:- Brachiopods
- Corals
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Wardensville
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (20 reviews) -
Lost City (WV259)
Location: WV259, Lost City, WV 26810, USA
GPS Coordinates: 38.9216, -78.8432
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Greenops, Phacops)
- Brachiopods
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Mahantango Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Wardensville
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (25 reviews) -
Germany Valley Overlook (WV33)
Location: WV33, Pendleton County, WV 26807, USA
GPS Coordinates: 38.7065, -79.4219
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Calliops, Isotelus)
- Brachiopods
- Graptolites
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Reedsville Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Franklin
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews) -
Hedgesville (WV9)
Location: WV9, Hedgesville, WV 25427, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.5746, -78.0372
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Greenops, Phacops)
- Brachiopods
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Mahantango Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Martinsburg
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (25 reviews) -
Rio (WV29)
Location: WV29, Rio, WV 26755, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.1633, -78.638
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Greenops, Phacops)
- Brachiopods
- Corals
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Mahantango Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside; river access requires permission)
Permit Requirements: No permit for roadside collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Wardensville
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews) -
Franklin (US33)
Location: US33, Franklin, WV 26807, USA
GPS Coordinates: 38.6606, -79.2390
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Phacops)
- Brachiopods
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Needmore Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Franklin
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews) -
Hillsboro (Locust Creek)
Location: Locust Creek Rd, Hillsboro, WV 24946, USA
GPS Coordinates: 38.1140, -80.2410
Fossil Types Found:- Brachiopods
- Corals
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Mississippian
Stratigraphic Formation: Greenbrier Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (creek bed)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Hillsboro
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (15 reviews) -
Marlinton (WV150)
Location: WV150, Marlinton, WV 24954, USA
GPS Coordinates: 38.3091, -80.2411
Fossil Types Found:- Plants (Neuropteris, Lepidodendron)
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Kanawha Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Marlinton
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (15 reviews) -
Bethany (WV67)
Location: WV67, Bethany, WV 26032, USA
GPS Coordinates: 40.2050, -80.5394
Fossil Types Found:- Plants (Neuropteris, Annularia)
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Monongahela Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Bethany
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.8/5 (15 reviews) -
Wheeling (Greggsville-Clinton)
Location: Greggsville-Clinton-Potomac Rd, Wheeling, WV 26003, USA
GPS Coordinates: 40.1148, -80.6623
Fossil Types Found:- Plants (Alethopteris, Calamites)
- Fish fragments
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Monongahela Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (streambed)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Wheeling
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (15 reviews) -
Morgantown (I68)
Location: I68, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.6468, -79.8948
Fossil Types Found:- Mollusks
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Ames Limestone
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Morgantown
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.8/5 (15 reviews) -
Keyser (WV46)
Location: WV46, Keyser, WV 26726, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.4243, -78.9478
Fossil Types Found:- Corals (Favosites, Cyathophyllum)
- Sponges (Stromatopora)
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Keyser Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Keyser
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (15 reviews) -
Berkeley Springs (WV9)
Location: WV9, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.6241, -78.2340
Fossil Types Found:- Brachiopods (Spirifer, Meristella)
- Corals
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Helderberg Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Berkeley Springs
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews) -
Haynes Cave
Location: 1570 Moore Rd, Sinks Grove, WV 24976, USA
GPS Coordinates: 37.6801, -80.4847
Fossil Types Found:- Mammals (Megalonyx claws)
Geological Period: Pleistocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: Unknown
Best Season to Visit: Year-round (with permission)
Dig Options: No public digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None; lodging in Union
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Megalonyx jeffersonii (state fossil)
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.7/5 (10 reviews) -
Glen Lyn (US460)
Location: US460, Glen Lyn, WV 24736, USA
GPS Coordinates: 37.3639, -80.8722
Fossil Types Found:- Tetrapod footprints
- Brachiopods
- Blastoids
Geological Period: Mississippian
Stratigraphic Formation: Bluefield Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (roadside)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Princeton
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Tetrapod footprints
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (20 reviews) -
Cassville
Location: Cassville, WV 26501, USA
GPS Coordinates: 39.6656, -80.0637
Fossil Types Found:- Plants (Sorocladus, Annularia)
- Insects (cockroach wings)
Geological Period: Pennsylvanian
Stratigraphic Formation: Cassville Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (outcrops)
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, no restrooms; lodging in Morgantown
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.8/5 (15 reviews)
Comparison Table of Fossil Dig Sites in West Virginia
| Site Name | State | Fossil Types | Dig Type | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lost River Roadside Quarry | West Virginia | Trilobites, brachiopods, corals | Self-guided | 4.5/5 |
| Cacapon River (Yellow Spring) | West Virginia | Trilobites, brachiopods, ammonoids | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Wardensville (WV55 East) | West Virginia | Trilobites, brachiopods, corals | Self-guided | 4.2/5 |
| Lost River (WV259) | West Virginia | Trilobites, brachiopods, crinoids | Self-guided | 4.1/5 |
| Capon Lake (WV259) | West Virginia | Trilobites, brachiopods, crinoids | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Baker (WV259) | West Virginia | Brachiopods, corals | Self-guided | 3.9/5 |
| Lost City (WV259) | West Virginia | Trilobites, brachiopods, crinoids | Self-guided | 4.1/5 |
| Germany Valley Overlook (WV33) | West Virginia | Trilobites, brachiopods, graptolites | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Hedgesville (WV9) | West Virginia | Trilobites, brachiopods, crinoids | Self-guided | 4.1/5 |
| Rio (WV29) | West Virginia | Trilobites, brachiopods, corals | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Franklin (US33) | West Virginia | Trilobites, brachiopods, crinoids | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Hillsboro (Locust Creek) | West Virginia | Brachiopods, corals, crinoids | Self-guided | 3.9/5 |
| Marlinton (WV150) | West Virginia | Plants | Self-guided | 3.9/5 |
| Bethany (WV67) | West Virginia | Plants | Self-guided | 3.8/5 |
| Wheeling (Greggsville-Clinton) | West Virginia | Plants, fish fragments | Self-guided | 3.9/5 |
| Morgantown (I68) | West Virginia | Mollusks | Self-guided | 3.8/5 |
| Keyser (WV46) | West Virginia | Corals, sponges | Self-guided | 3.9/5 |
| Berkeley Springs (WV9) | West Virginia | Brachiopods, corals, crinoids | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Haynes Cave | West Virginia | Mammals | Permit-only | 3.7/5 |
| Glen Lyn (US460) | West Virginia | Tetrapod footprints, brachiopods | Self-guided | 4.1/5 |
| Cassville | West Virginia | Plants, insects | Self-guided | 3.8/5 |
Fossil Dig Tourism in West Virginia: A Prehistoric Adventure
West Virginia, cradled by the ancient Appalachian Mountains, is a haven for fossil hunting in West Virginia, boasting some of the best fossil dig sites in West Virginia for families, beginners, and avid rockhounds. From the Devonian shales of the Lost River Roadside Quarry in Wardensville, where visitors can freely collect trilobites and brachiopods, to the Pennsylvanian plant fossils along Marlinton’s WV150, the state’s geological tapestry fuels thrilling dinosaur dig vacations in West Virginia. Roadside gems like Cacapon River and WV55 east of Wardensville offer self-guided fossil digs in West Virginia, yielding Devonian marine fossils, while Hillsboro’s Locust Creek reveals Mississippian corals. Though lacking Jurassic or Cretaceous rocks, West Virginia’s Paleozoic seas and Carboniferous swamps produced the common fossils in West Virginia, including trilobites, brachiopods, and ferns, with rare finds like the Pleistocene Megalonyx jeffersonii in Haynes Cave. The Lost River Quarry stands out as a public dinosaur excavation area in West Virginia, with no fees or permits, making it ideal for low-cost paleontology tours in West Virginia. Sites like Germany Valley Overlook and Glen Lyn showcase Ordovician trilobites and Mississippian tetrapod footprints, perfect for rockhounding destinations in West Virginia. Spring and fall are the best seasons for fossil hunting in West Virginia, with exposed road cuts and mild weather. Strict regulations protect fossils in areas like New River Gorge National Park, but public sites ensure accessible paleontology field adventures in West Virginia. Towns like Wardensville, Morgantown, and Franklin offer lodging, while the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey Museum in Morgantown enhances prehistoric site tours in West Virginia. Whether uncovering trilobites or plant casts, West Virginia’s fossil hunting state sparks a connection to Earth’s ancient past, inspiring awe and discovery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fossil Digging in West Virginia
Can anyone dig for fossils in national parks in West Virginia?
No, fossil collecting in National Park Service areas, like New River Gorge 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 West Virginia?
For sites like Lost River Quarry, bring gloves, a small brush, hand trowel, and a container. Avoid digging into cliffs; hand-picking is sufficient.
Are there guided fossil tours in West Virginia?
Guided tours are rare, but self-guided collecting at sites like Lost River is supported by online resources and local geological surveys.
What are the best months for fossil hunting in West Virginia?
April to June and September to November offer mild weather and exposed outcrops. Winter snow can obscure sites.
Can I keep fossils I find in West Virginia?
At public sites like Lost River Quarry, you can keep surface-collected fossils. Permits are required for private or protected lands.
Is fossil hunting safe for kids in West Virginia?
Yes, sites like Lost River are family-friendly for surface collecting, but supervise kids near cliffs or rivers.
Do I need permission to collect on private land in West Virginia?
Yes, always obtain landowner permission to avoid trespassing when collecting on private property.
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