21+ Fossil Dig Sites in Wisconsin, USA
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Krukowski Quarry
Location: 3781 County Hwy C, Mosinee, WI 54455, USA
GPS Coordinates: 44.7144, -89.5242
Fossil Types Found:- Jellyfish
- Trace fossils (Climactichnites, Protichnites)
- Euthycarcinoids
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Mount Simon Formation
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required; currently closed to collecting
Entry Fee: Unknown
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: No public digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None; lodging in Wausau
Contact Information: None; see wgnhs.wisc.edu
Famous Discoveries: Well-preserved Cambrian jellyfish and arthropod tracks
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (15 reviews) -
Door County Shoreline (Newport State Park)
Location: 475 County Road NP, Ellison Bay, WI 54210, USA
GPS Coordinates: 45.2381, -86.9878
Fossil Types Found:- Corals (Favosites, Halysites)
- Brachiopods
- Crinoid columnals
Geological Period: Silurian
Stratigraphic Formation: Cordell Dolomite
Public or Private Access: Public
Permit Requirements: No permit for surface collecting; no digging allowed
Entry Fee: State park vehicle sticker ($8/day)
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended; no digging
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms; lodging in Ellison Bay
Contact Information: dnr.wisconsin.gov, (920) 854-2500
Famous Discoveries: Silurian reef fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (50 reviews) -
Tomah Road Cut (US16)
Location: US16, 9.6km W of Tomah, WI 54660, USA
GPS Coordinates: 43.9385, -90.6084
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Maustonia, Parabolinoides)
Geological Period: Cambrian
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 Tomah
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (15 reviews) -
Arcadia Road Cut (WI93)
Location: WI93, 1km S of WI95, Arcadia, WI 54612, USA
GPS Coordinates: 44.2446, -91.4735
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Arcadiaspis, Calvinella)
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Jordan Sandstone
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 Arcadia
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews) -
Milwaukee River (Cedarburg)
Location: Cedarburg, WI 53012, USA
GPS Coordinates: 43.3010, -87.9740
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
- Corals
Geological Period: Silurian
Stratigraphic Formation: Racine Dolomite
Public or Private Access: Public (riverbank)
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, restrooms; lodging in Cedarburg
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (25 reviews) -
Waukesha Quarry
Location: Waukesha, WI 53188, USA
GPS Coordinates: 43.1142, -88.2103
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites
- Leeches
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Silurian
Stratigraphic Formation: Brandon Bridge Formation
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: Unknown
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: No public digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None; lodging in Waukesha
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Diverse soft-bodied Silurian fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (20 reviews) -
Estabrook Park (Milwaukee River)
Location: Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA
GPS Coordinates: 43.0695, -87.8976
Fossil Types Found:- Brachiopods
- Fish fragments
Geological Period: Devonian
Stratigraphic Formation: Milwaukee Formation
Public or Private Access: Public (park)
Permit Requirements: No collecting without permit
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Viewing only; no digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms; lodging in Milwaukee
Contact Information: county.milwaukee.gov
Famous Discoveries: Diverse Devonian brachiopods
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (30 reviews) -
Oakfield Brick Company Quarry
Location: Hwy B, Oakfield, WI 53065, USA
GPS Coordinates: 43.6987, -88.4513
Fossil Types Found:- Brachiopods
Geological Period: Ordovician-Silurian
Stratigraphic Formation: Maquoketa, Mayfield Formations
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: Unknown
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: No public digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None; lodging in Fond du Lac
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.7/5 (10 reviews) -
Grafton (Lime Kiln Park)
Location: Lime Kiln Park, Grafton, WI 53024, USA
GPS Coordinates: 43.3063, -87.9559
Fossil Types Found:- Mollusks
Geological Period: Silurian
Stratigraphic Formation: Racine Dolomite
Public or Private Access: Public (park)
Permit Requirements: No collecting without permit
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Viewing only; no digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms; lodging in Grafton
Contact Information: village.grafton.wi.us
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews) -
Racine (Quarry Lake Park)
Location: Quarry Lake Park, Racine, WI 53403, USA
GPS Coordinates: 42.7472, -87.8210
Fossil Types Found:- Crinoids
Geological Period: Silurian
Stratigraphic Formation: Racine Dolomite
Public or Private Access: Public (park)
Permit Requirements: No collecting without permit
Entry Fee: Free
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Viewing only; no digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms; lodging in Racine
Contact Information: cityofracine.org
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (25 reviews) -
Two Creeks Buried Forest
Location: Two Creeks, WI 54241, USA
GPS Coordinates: 44.3275, -87.5447
Fossil Types Found:- Plant fragments (conifer needles, cones)
- Gastropods
Geological Period: Pleistocene
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (shoreline)
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 Two Rivers
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Well-preserved Pleistocene plant fossils
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (20 reviews) -
Hudson (Willow River)
Location: Hudson, WI 54016, USA
GPS Coordinates: 45.0110, -92.7129
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
Public or Private Access: Public (riverbank)
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, restrooms; lodging in Hudson
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews) -
Fort Atkinson (Hausz Bros Quarry)
Location: Fort Atkinson, WI 53538, USA
GPS Coordinates: 42.9076, -88.8173
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
- Crinoids
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Platteville, Decorah, Galena Formations
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: Unknown
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: No public digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None; lodging in Fort Atkinson
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.8/5 (10 reviews) -
Beloit Quarries
Location: Beloit, WI 53511, USA
GPS Coordinates: 42.5083, -89.0317
Fossil Types Found:- Bivalves (Ambonychia, Ctenodonta)
- Trilobites (Ceraurus)
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Trenton Formation
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: Unknown
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: No public digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None; lodging in Beloit
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.8/5 (10 reviews) -
New Glarus (WI69/WI92)
Location: WI69/WI92, New Glarus, WI 53574, USA
GPS Coordinates: 42.8180, -89.6326
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
- Gastropods
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Galena 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 New Glarus
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (15 reviews) -
Fennimore Road Cuts
Location: South and West of Fennimore, WI 53809, USA
GPS Coordinates: 42.9836, -90.6553
Fossil Types Found:- Crinoids
Geological Period: Ordovician
Stratigraphic Formation: Platteville 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 Fennimore
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (15 reviews) -
Tunnel City Quarry
Location: Tunnel City, WI 54660, USA
GPS Coordinates: 44.0074, -90.5873
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Jordan Formation
Public or Private Access: Private
Permit Requirements: Permission required
Entry Fee: Unknown
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: No public digging
Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
Nearby Facilities: None; lodging in Tomah
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.7/5 (10 reviews) -
Baraboo Outcrop
Location: Baraboo, WI 53913, USA
GPS Coordinates: 43.4711, -89.7442
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Dicellocephalus)
- Trace fossils (Skolithos)
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Potsdam Formation
Public or Private Access: Mixed (public/private land)
Permit Requirements: Permission required for private land
Entry Fee: Free (public areas)
Best Season to Visit: Spring to fall
Dig Options: Self-guided surface collecting
Tool Use Policy: Hand tools recommended
Nearby Facilities: Parking, restrooms; lodging in Baraboo
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.0/5 (20 reviews) -
Stevenstown (Halfway Creek)
Location: Stevenstown, WI 54601, USA
GPS Coordinates: 44.0364, -91.1714
Fossil Types Found:- Brachiopods (Lingulella)
- Trace fossils (ripple marks)
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Potsdam Formation
Public or Private Access: Mixed (public/private land)
Permit Requirements: Permission required for private land
Entry Fee: Free (public areas)
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 La Crosse
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (15 reviews) -
Galesville (Mill Site)
Location: Galesville, WI 54630, USA
GPS Coordinates: 44.0811, -91.3452
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites
- Brachiopods
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Potsdam Formation
Public or Private Access: Mixed (public/private land)
Permit Requirements: Permission required for private land
Entry Fee: Free (public areas)
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 Galesville
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.9/5 (15 reviews) -
Hayward Road Cut
Location: Hayward, WI 54843, USA
GPS Coordinates: 46.0088, -91.5061
Fossil Types Found:- Trace fossils (Climactichnites)
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Mount Simon 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 Hayward
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: Cambrian arthropod tracks (2022 discovery)
User Ratings and Reviews: 4.1/5 (20 reviews) -
Friendship Knob
Location: Friendship, WI 53934, USA
GPS Coordinates: 43.9706, -89.8167
Fossil Types Found:- Trilobites (Ptychaspis)
Geological Period: Cambrian
Stratigraphic Formation: Potsdam Formation
Public or Private Access: Mixed (public/private land)
Permit Requirements: Permission required for private land
Entry Fee: Free (public areas)
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 Friendship
Contact Information: None
Famous Discoveries: None noted
User Ratings and Reviews: 3.8/5 (10 reviews)
Comparison Table of Fossil Dig Sites in Wisconsin
| Site Name | State | Fossil Types | Dig Type | Average Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Krukowski Quarry | Wisconsin | Jellyfish, trace fossils | Permit-only | 4.0/5 |
| Door County Shoreline (Newport SP) | Wisconsin | Corals, brachiopods, crinoids | Self-guided | 4.3/5 |
| Tomah Road Cut (US16) | Wisconsin | Trilobites | Self-guided | 3.9/5 |
| Arcadia Road Cut (WI93) | Wisconsin | Trilobites | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Milwaukee River (Cedarburg) | Wisconsin | Trilobites, brachiopods, corals | Self-guided | 4.1/5 |
| Waukesha Quarry | Wisconsin | Trilobites, leeches, crinoids | Permit-only | 4.2/5 |
| Estabrook Park (Milwaukee River) | Wisconsin | Brachiopods, fish fragments | Viewing only | 4.2/5 |
| Oakfield Brick Company Quarry | Wisconsin | Brachiopods | Permit-only | 3.7/5 |
| Grafton (Lime Kiln Park) | Wisconsin | Mollusks | Viewing only | 4.0/5 |
| Racine (Quarry Lake Park) | Wisconsin | Crinoids | Viewing only | 4.1/5 |
| Two Creeks Buried Forest | Wisconsin | Plant fragments, gastropods | Self-guided | 4.2/5 |
| Hudson (Willow River) | Wisconsin | Trilobites, brachiopods | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Fort Atkinson (Hausz Bros Quarry) | Wisconsin | Trilobites, brachiopods, crinoids | Permit-only | 3.8/5 |
| Beloit Quarries | Wisconsin | Bivalves, trilobites | Permit-only | 3.8/5 |
| New Glarus (WI69/WI92) | Wisconsin | Trilobites, brachiopods, gastropods | Self-guided | 3.9/5 |
| Fennimore Road Cuts | Wisconsin | Crinoids | Self-guided | 3.9/5 |
| Tunnel City Quarry | Wisconsin | Trilobites, brachiopods | Permit-only | 3.7/5 |
| Baraboo Outcrop | Wisconsin | Trilobites, trace fossils | Self-guided | 4.0/5 |
| Stevenstown (Halfway Creek) | Wisconsin | Brachiopods, trace fossils | Self-guided | 3.9/5 |
| Galesville (Mill Site) | Wisconsin | Trilobites, brachiopods | Self-guided | 3.9/5 |
| Hayward Road Cut | Wisconsin | Trace fossils | Self-guided | 4.1/5 |
| Friendship Knob | Wisconsin | Trilobites | Self-guided | 3.8/5 |
Fossil Dig Tourism in Wisconsin: A Prehistoric Adventure
Wisconsin’s ancient seas and Paleozoic reefs make it a prime destination for fossil hunting in Wisconsin, offering some of the best fossil dig sites in Wisconsin for families, beginners, and seasoned rockhounds. From the Cambrian trace fossils of Krukowski Quarry near Mosinee to the Silurian reefs of Newport State Park in Door County, the state’s geological diversity fuels unforgettable family fossil hunting trips in Wisconsin. Public sites like the Milwaukee River in Cedarburg and road cuts near Tomah and Arcadia provide accessible self-guided fossil digs in Wisconsin, yielding trilobites, brachiopods, and corals. The Two Creeks Buried Forest offers a rare glimpse into Pleistocene plant life, while private sites like Waukesha Quarry hold world-class Silurian soft-bodied fossils, though access requires permission. Wisconsin’s common fossils in Wisconsin, including the state fossil, the trilobite Gravicalymene celebra, thrive in Silurian dolomites, with Cambrian trilobites like Dicellocephalus at Baraboo. For low-cost paleontology tours in Wisconsin, public riverbanks and road cuts are free, though quarries demand permits. Spring and fall are the best seasons for fossil hunting in Wisconsin, with exposed outcrops and mild weather. Strict regulations, enforced by the National Park Service at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, limit collecting, but sites like Hudson’s Willow River ensure paleontology field adventures in Wisconsin remain open to all. The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey guides hunters to rockhounding destinations in Wisconsin, such as New Glarus and Fennimore. Cities like Milwaukee, Madison, and Sturgeon Bay offer lodging, while the University of Wisconsin Geology Museum enhances prehistoric site tours in Wisconsin. Though lacking Jurassic dinosaurs, Wisconsin’s Paleozoic marine fossils connect visitors to ancient oceans, making it a must-visit fossil hunting state for science and adventure enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fossil Digging in Wisconsin
Can anyone dig for fossils in national parks in Wisconsin?
No, fossil collecting in National Park Service areas, like Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, is prohibited to preserve scientific resources. Take photos and report finds to rangers.
What gear do I need for a fossil dig in Wisconsin?
Bring gloves, a small brush, hand trowel, and a container for sites like Milwaukee River. Avoid digging into cliffs; hand-picking is sufficient.
Are there guided fossil tours in Wisconsin?
Guided tours are rare, but self-guided collecting at public sites is supported by WGNHS resources and local geology clubs.
What are the best months for fossil hunting in Wisconsin?
April to June and September to November offer mild weather and exposed outcrops. Winter snow obscures sites.
Can I keep fossils I find in Wisconsin?
You can keep surface-collected fossils from public lands like riverbanks, but permits are required for private land or protected areas.
Is fossil hunting safe for kids in Wisconsin?
Yes, public sites like Door County shoreline are family-friendly for surface collecting, but supervise kids near rivers or cliffs.
Do I need permission to collect on private land in Wisconsin?
Yes, always obtain landowner permission to avoid trespassing when collecting on private property, such as quarries.
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