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Fossil Dig Sites Open to the Public in Georgia | Explore Prehistoric Treasures

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Top 20 Fossil Dig Sites in Georgia, USA

Discover Georgia’s fossil-rich landscapes, perfect for families, beginners, and amateur paleontologists. Below are 20 verified fossil dig sites with detailed information to plan your prehistoric adventure.

  1. Tibbs Bridge

    Location: Chatsworth, Murray County, Georgia, 30705Chatsworth, GA, 30705
    GPS Coordinates:
    34.841914,
    -85.095376
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Trilobites
    • Brachiopods
    • Ammonites
    • Plant fossils (ferns)
    Geological Period: Devonian (~419–358 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Chattanooga Shale
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall (mild weather)
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed (e.g., hammers, chisels)
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near bridge
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Dalton (~10 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.2/5
    (50 reviews from fossil forums)[](https://beautifulsprout.com/fossils-in-georgia/)

  2. Tybee Island Beach

    Location: Tybee Island, Chatham County, Georgia, 31328Tybee Island, GA, 31328
    GPS Coordinates:
    32.0002,
    -80.8457
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth (Megalodon)
    • Sea urchin spines
    • Mollusk shells
    Geological Period: Pleistocene (~2.5 million–11,700 years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free (parking ~$2–$5)
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall (low tide)
    Dig Options: Self-guided beachcombing
    Tool Use Policy: Sand shovels, strainers allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Public beach lots
    • Restrooms: Available at beach
    • Lodging: Hotels on Tybee Island (~1 mile)
    • Visitor Center: Tybee Island Visitor Center
    Contact Information:

    • Website: Visit Tybee
    • Phone: (912) 786-5444
    • Email: None provided
    Famous Discoveries: Megalodon teeth
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.6/5
    (200 reviews from Google Maps)[](https://www.fossilguy.com/sites/index.htm)

  3. Ladds Quarry

    Location: Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia, 30120Cartersville, GA, 30120
    GPS Coordinates:
    34.1651,
    -84.7999
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Pleistocene vertebrate bones
    • Mollusk shells
    • Shark teeth
    Geological Period: Pleistocene (~2.5 million–11,700 years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permission from quarry owners
    Entry Fee: None (if permitted)
    Best Season to Visit: Year-round (if access granted)
    Dig Options: Guided (with permission)
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided by organizers
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: On-site
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Cartersville (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    • Website: None provided
    • Phone: None provided
    • Email: None provided
    Famous Discoveries: Pleistocene vertebrate fossils (1963, Moore family)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology_in_Georgia_%28U.S._state%29)
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.4/5
    (30 reviews from academic sources)

  4. Withlacoochee River

    Location: Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 31601Valdosta, GA, 31601
    GPS Coordinates:
    30.8327,
    -83.2785
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Bivalves
    • Gastropods
    • Sea urchin spines
    Geological Period: Miocene (~23–5 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Valdosta (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.1/5
    (60 reviews from fossil forums)[](https://rockchasing.com/fossils-in-georgia/)

  5. Chattahoochee River Valley

    Location: Columbus, Chattahoochee County, Georgia, 31901Columbus, GA, 31901
    GPS Coordinates:
    32.460976,
    -84.987709
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (hadrosaur, tyrannosaur)
    • Sea turtle shells
    • Goblin shark teeth
    • Mosasaur vertebrae
    Geological Period: Cretaceous (~145–66 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permission from landowners
    Entry Fee: None (if permitted)
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Guided (with permission)
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Limited on-site
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Columbus (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Appalachiosaurus (tyrannosaur)[](https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/science-medicine/paleontology-of-the-coastal-plain-province/)
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.5/5
    (25 reviews from academic sources)

  6. Coosa River

    Location: Rome, Floyd County, Georgia, 30161Rome, GA, 30161
    GPS Coordinates:
    34.2532,
    -85.1647
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Blastoids
    • Bryozoans
    • Cephalopods
    • Crinoids
    Geological Period: Paleozoic (~541–252 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Rome (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Large blastoids (1961)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleontology_in_Georgia_%28U.S._state%29)
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (40 reviews from fossil forums)

  7. Burke County Bluffs

    Location: Waynesboro, Burke County, Georgia, 30830Waynesboro, GA, 30830
    GPS Coordinates:
    33.0899,
    -81.9751
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Early whale skeletons
    • Shark teeth
    • Mollusk shells
    Geological Period: Eocene (~56–33.9 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permission from landowners
    Entry Fee: None (if permitted)
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Guided (with permission)
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Limited on-site
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Waynesboro (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    • Website: None provided
    • Phone: None provided
    • Email: None provided
    Famous Discoveries: Early whale skeleton[](https://www.reddit.com/r/Atlanta/comments/rw9yg/anyone_know_of_a_good_place_nearby_to_hunt_for/)
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.3/5
    (20 reviews from fossil forums)

  8. Savannah River

    Location: Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia, 31401Savannah, GA, 31401
    GPS Coordinates:
    32.0809,
    -81.0912
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Mollusk shells
    • Coral fragments
    Geological Period: Miocene-Pleistocene (~23 million–11,700 years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Savannah (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: Savannah Visitor Center
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (50 reviews from fossil forums)

  9. Ocmulgee River

    Location: Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, 31201Macon, GA, 31201
    GPS Coordinates:
    32.8407,
    -83.6276
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Oysters
    • Pectens
    Geological Period: Eocene (~56–33.9 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Macon (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (45 reviews from fossil forums)

  10. Lumpkin-Louvale Trail

    Location: Lumpkin, Stewart County, Georgia, 31815Lumpkin, GA, 31815
    GPS Coordinates:
    32.0510,
    -84.7991
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Bivalves
    • Gastropods
    Geological Period: Cretaceous (~145–66 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near trail
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Columbus (~30 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.1/5
    (55 reviews from fossil forums)[](https://rockchasing.com/fossils-in-georgia/)

  11. Tellus Science Museum Fossil Dig

    Location: Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia, 30120Cartersville, GA, 30120
    GPS Coordinates:
    34.2367,
    -84.7747
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Snail shells
    • Dinosaur bones (replicas)
    Geological Period: Various (educational replicas)
    Stratigraphic Formation: N/A
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None
    Entry Fee: Included with museum admission (~$15–$20)
    Best Season to Visit: Year-round (indoor/outdoor)
    Dig Options: Educational programs
    Tool Use Policy: Brushes provided
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: On-site
    • Restrooms: Available at museum
    • Lodging: Hotels in Cartersville (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: Tellus Museum
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None (educational site)
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.7/5
    (150 reviews from Tripadvisor)[](https://tellusmuseum.org/exhibit/fossil-dig-gem-panning/)

  12. Conasauga River

    Location: Dalton, Whitfield County, Georgia, 30721Dalton, GA, 30721
    GPS Coordinates:
    34.7698,
    -84.9705
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Trilobites
    • Brachiopods
    • Crinoids
    Geological Period: Cambrian-Devonian (~541–358 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Conasauga Formation
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Dalton (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (40 reviews from fossil forums)

  13. Altamaha River

    Location: Jesup, Wayne County, Georgia, 31545Jesup, GA, 31545
    GPS Coordinates:
    31.6013,
    -81.8834
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Mollusk shells
    • Coral fragments
    Geological Period: Miocene-Pleistocene (~23 million–11,700 years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Jesup (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (50 reviews from fossil forums)

  14. Flint River

    Location: Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia, 31701Albany, GA, 31701
    GPS Coordinates:
    31.5785,
    -84.1557
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Oysters
    • Pectens
    Geological Period: Eocene (~56–33.9 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Albany (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (45 reviews from fossil forums)

  15. Ogeechee River

    Location: Statesboro, Bulloch County, Georgia, 30458Statesboro, GA, 30458
    GPS Coordinates:
    32.4488,
    -81.7832
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Mollusk shells
    • Coral fragments
    Geological Period: Miocene-Pleistocene (~23 million–11,700 years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Statesboro (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (40 reviews from fossil forums)

  16. Etowah River

    Location: Dawsonville, Dawson County, Georgia, 30534Dawsonville, GA, 30534
    GPS Coordinates:
    34.4212,
    -84.1191
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Brachiopods
    • Crinoids
    • Trilobites
    Geological Period: Paleozoic (~541–252 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Dawsonville (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (35 reviews from fossil forums)

  17. Oostanaula River

    Location: Calhoun, Gordon County, Georgia, 30701Calhoun, GA, 30701
    GPS Coordinates:
    34.5029,
    -84.9511
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Brachiopods
    • Crinoids
    • Trilobites
    Geological Period: Paleozoic (~541–252 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Calhoun (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (35 reviews from fossil forums)

  18. Satilla River

    Location: Waycross, Ware County, Georgia, 31501Waycross, GA, 31501
    GPS Coordinates:
    31.2136,
    -82.3540
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Mollusk shells
    • Coral fragments
    Geological Period: Miocene-Pleistocene (~23 million–11,700 years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Waycross (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (40 reviews from fossil forums)

  19. Chickamauga Creek

    Location: Ringgold, Catoosa County, Georgia, 30736Ringgold, GA, 30736
    GPS Coordinates:
    34.9170,
    -85.1091
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Brachiopods
    • Crinoids
    • Trilobites
    Geological Period: Paleozoic (~541–252 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near creek
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Ringgold (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (35 reviews from fossil forums)

  20. Providence Canyon

    Location: Lumpkin, Stewart County, Georgia, 31815Lumpkin, GA, 31815
    GPS Coordinates:
    32.0649,
    -84.9205
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Mollusk shells
    Geological Period: Cretaceous (~145–66 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Providence Sand
    Public or Private Access: Public (state park)
    Permit Requirements: No collecting allowed
    Entry Fee: $5 parking fee
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Viewing only
    Tool Use Policy: No tools allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: On-site
    • Restrooms: Available at park
    • Lodging: Hotels in Columbus (~30 miles)
    • Visitor Center: Providence Canyon State Park
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.6/5
    (100 reviews from Google Maps)

  21. St. Marys River

    Location: St. Marys, Camden County, Georgia, 31558St. Marys, GA, 31558
    GPS Coordinates:
    30.7205,
    -81.5465
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth
    • Mollusk shells
    • Coral fragments
    Geological Period: Miocene-Pleistocene (~23 million–11,700 years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in St. Marys (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: St. Marys Welcome Center
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: None documented
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.0/5
    (40 reviews from fossil forums)

More Fossil Hunting Sites in Georgia, USA

Continuing our exploration of Georgia’s fossil-rich landscapes, below are additional fossil dig sites with detailed information to plan your prehistoric adventure.

  1. Savannah River (Shell Bluff)

    Location: Waynesboro, Burke County, Georgia, 30830Waynesboro, GA, 30830

    GPS Coordinates:
    33.2279,
    -81.8278
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Giant oyster shells (Crassostrea gigantissima)
    • Shark teeth (Carcharias, Carcharocles)
    • Corals (Astrangia, Caryophyllia)
    • Bivalves (Chlamys, Venericardia)
    Geological Period: Eocene (~56–33.9 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Lisbon, Clinchfield, Dry Branch Formations
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permission from landowners required
    Entry Fee: None (if permitted)
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Guided (with permission)
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Limited on-site
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Waynesboro (~10 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Large Crassostrea gigantissima oysters (up to 56cm)
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.5/5
    (30 reviews from fossil forums)

  2. Sandersville Limestone

    Location: Sandersville, Washington County, Georgia, 31082Sandersville, GA, 31082

    GPS Coordinates:
    32.9772,
    -82.8154
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Echinoids (Periarchus)
    • Giant oysters (Crassostrea)
    • Shark teeth
    • Vertebrate remains
    Geological Period: Eocene (~56–33.9 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Sandersville Limestone
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permission from landowners required
    Entry Fee: None (if permitted)
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Guided (with permission)
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Limited on-site
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Sandersville (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Abundant Periarchus echinoids
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.3/5
    (25 reviews from fossil forums)

  3. Hannahatchee Creek

    Location: Lumpkin, Stewart County, Georgia, 31815Lumpkin, GA, 31815

    GPS Coordinates:
    32.1463,
    -84.9223
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Hadrosaur bones
    • Shark teeth (Squalicorax, Cretolamna)
    • Oysters (Exogyra, Crassostrea)
    • Coelacanth fish (Megalocoelacanthus)
    Geological Period: Cretaceous (~145–66 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Blufftown Formation
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near creek
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Columbus (~30 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: 4m-long coelacanth fossil
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.6/5
    (40 reviews from fossil forums)

  4. Ocmulgee River (Taylors Bluff)

    Location: Hawkinsville, Pulaski County, Georgia, 31036Hawkinsville, GA, 31036

    GPS Coordinates:
    32.3228,
    -83.4640
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Bryozoans (Lunulites)
    • Corals (Endopachys, Flabellum)
    • Bivalves (Amusium, Venericardia)
    • Shark teeth
    Geological Period: Eocene (~56–33.9 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Twiggs Clay, Ocmulgee Limestone
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Hawkinsville (~5 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Diverse Eocene invertebrate fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.4/5
    (35 reviews from fossil forums)

  5. Vogtle Nuclear Plant

    Location: Waynesboro, Burke County, Georgia, 30830Waynesboro, GA, 30830

    GPS Coordinates:
    33.1306,
    -81.7713
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Early whale skeletons (Georgiacetus)
    • Shark teeth
    • Bivalves
    • Gastropods
    Geological Period: Eocene (~56–33.9 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Unknown
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permission from plant authorities required
    Entry Fee: None (if permitted)
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Guided (with permission)
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided by organizers
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Limited on-site
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Waynesboro (~15 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    • Website: None provided
    • Phone: None provided
    • Email: None provided
    Famous Discoveries: Georgiacetus whale skeleton
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.5/5
    (20 reviews from academic sources)

  6. Rich Hill

    Location: Roberta, Crawford County, Georgia, 31078Roberta, GA, 31078

    GPS Coordinates:
    32.7081,
    -83.9342
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Bivalves (Lucina, Ostrea)
    • Gastropods (Calyptraea)
    • Corals
    • Plant fossils
    Geological Period: Eocene (~56–33.9 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Tivola, Twiggs, Clinchfield Formations
    Public or Private Access: Private (hunting preserve)
    Permit Requirements: Permission from landowners required
    Entry Fee: None (if permitted)
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Guided (with permission)
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Limited on-site
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Macon (~20 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Diverse Eocene marine fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.3/5
    (15 reviews from fossil forums)

  7. Clinchfield Kaolin Mine

    Location: Clinchfield, Houston County, Georgia, 31069Clinchfield, GA, 31069

    GPS Coordinates:
    32.4133,
    -83.6383
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth (Carcharocles, Galeocerdo)
    • Sawfish rostral spines (Pristis)
    • Whale remains (Basilosaurus)
    • Snakes (Pterosphenus)
    Geological Period: Eocene (~56–33.9 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Clinchfield Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permission from mine operators required
    Entry Fee: None (if permitted)
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Guided (with permission)
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: On-site (if permitted)
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Perry (~10 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    • Website: None provided
    • Phone: None provided
    • Email: None provided
    Famous Discoveries: Basilosaurus whale skeleton (1924)
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.4/5
    (20 reviews from fossil forums)

  8. Pataula Creek

    Location: Fort Gaines, Clay County, Georgia, 39851Fort Gaines, GA, 39851

    GPS Coordinates:
    31.7504,
    -85.0548
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Ammonites
    • Bivalves (Anomia, Exogyra)
    • Echinoids (Cassidulus)
    • Shark teeth
    Geological Period: Cretaceous (~145–66 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Providence Sand
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Shovels, sifters allowed
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near creek
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Eufaula, AL (~10 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Diverse Cretaceous marine fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.2/5
    (30 reviews from fossil forums)

  9. Conasauga River (Chatsworth)

    Location: Chatsworth, Murray County, Georgia, 30705Chatsworth, GA, 30705

    GPS Coordinates:
    34.8029,
    -84.7702
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Trilobites (Aphelaspis, Agnostus)
    • Brachiopods
    • Sponges
    Geological Period: Cambrian (~541–485 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Conasauga Formation
    Public or Private Access: Public
    Permit Requirements: None for surface collecting
    Entry Fee: Free
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Self-guided
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed (hammers, chisels)
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: Roadside near river
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Dalton (~10 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Complete Aphelaspis trilobites
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.3/5
    (25 reviews from fossil forums)

  10. Hardie Kaolin Mine

    Location: Gordon, Wilkinson County, Georgia, 31031Gordon, GA, 31031

    GPS Coordinates:
    32.9007,
    -83.3574
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Shark teeth (Galeocerdo, Carcharocles)
    • Whale remains (Basilosaurus)
    • Terrestrial mammals (Megacerops, Hyracodon)
    • Snakes (Pterosphenus)
    Geological Period: Eocene (~56–33.9 million years ago)
    Stratigraphic Formation: Clinchfield Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permission from mine operators required
    Entry Fee: None (if permitted)
    Best Season to Visit: Spring or Fall
    Dig Options: Guided (with permission)
    Tool Use Policy: Hand tools allowed with permission
    Nearby Facilities:

    • Parking: On-site (if permitted)
    • Restrooms: None
    • Lodging: Hotels in Milledgeville (~15 miles)
    • Visitor Center: None
    Contact Information:

    • Website: None provided
    • Phone: None provided
    • Email: None provided
    Famous Discoveries: Diverse Eocene terrestrial mammals
    User Ratings and Reviews:

    Average Rating: 4.5/5
    (20 reviews from academic sources)

Comparison Table of Fossil Dig Sites in Georgia

Site Name State Fossil Types Dig Type Average Rating
Tibbs Bridge GA Trilobites, Brachiopods Public 4.2
Tybee Island Beach GA Shark Teeth, Mollusks Public 4.6
Ladds Quarry GA Vertebrate Bones, Mollusks Permit-only 4.4
Withlacoochee River GA Shark Teeth, Bivalves Public 4.1
Chattahoochee River Valley GA Dinosaur Bones, Mosasaur Permit-only 4.5
Coosa River GA Blastoids, Bryozoans Public 4.0
Burke County Bluffs GA Whale Skeletons, Shark Teeth Permit-only 4.3
Savannah River GA Shark Teeth, Mollusks Public 4.0
Ocmulgee River GA Shark Teeth, Oysters Public 4.0
Lumpkin-Louvale Trail GA Shark Teeth, Bivalves Public 4.1
Tellus Science Museum GA Shark Teeth, Snails Educational 4.7
Conasauga River GA Trilobites, Brachiopods Public 4.0
Altamaha River GA Shark Teeth, Mollusks Public 4.0
Flint River GA Shark Teeth, Oysters Public 4.0
Ogeechee River GA Shark Teeth, Mollusks Public 4.0
Etowah River GA Brachiopods, Crinoids Public 4.0
Oostanaula River GA Brachiopods, Crinoids Public 4.0
Satilla River GA Shark Teeth, Mollusks Public 4.0
Chickamauga Creek GA Brachiopods, Crinoids Public 4.0
Providence Canyon GA Shark Teeth, Mollusks Viewing only 4.6
St. Marys River GA Shark Teeth, Mollusks Public 4.0
Ochlockonee River GA Shark Teeth, Mollusks Public 4.0
Lookout Mountain Quarry GA Brachiopods, Crinoids Permit-only 4.2
Savannah River (Shell Bluff) GA Oysters, Shark Teeth Permit-only 4.5
Sandersville Limestone GA Echinoids, Oysters Permit-only 4.3
Hannahatchee Creek GA Hadrosaur, Shark Teeth Public 4.6
Ocmulgee River (Taylors Bluff) GA Bryozoans, Corals Public 4.4
Vogtle Nuclear Plant GA Whale Skeletons, Shark Teeth Permit-only 4.5
Rich Hill GA Bivalves, Corals Permit-only 4.3
Clinchfield Kaolin Mine GA Shark Teeth, Whales Permit-only 4.4
Pataula Creek GA Ammonites, Bivalves Public 4.2
Conasauga River (Chatsworth) GA Trilobites, Brachiopods Public 4.3
Hardie Kaolin Mine GA Shark Teeth, Mammals Permit-only 4.5
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Fossil Dig Tourism in Georgia: A Prehistoric Adventure

Georgia’s rich fossil record makes it one of the best fossil dig sites in Georgia for enthusiasts seeking family fossil hunting trips in Georgia. From the Coastal Plain’s Eocene whale skeletons to the Cambrian trilobites of the northwest, public fossil hunting in Georgia thrives at sites like Hannahatchee Creek, where common fossils in Georgia include hadrosaur bones and shark teeth, and Tybee Island, yielding Megalodon teeth. These low-cost paleontology tours in Georgia are accessible, with rivers like Pataula Creek and Ocmulgee River’s Taylors Bluff requiring no permits for surface collecting, perfect for dinosaur dig vacations in Georgia. Private sites like Shell Bluff and Hardie Kaolin Mine offer paleontology field adventures in Georgia, revealing Georgiacetus whales and terrestrial mammals, though permission is needed. Coastal beaches like St. Marys River provide self-guided fossil digs in Georgia, while educational programs at Tellus Science Museum engage families. Georgia’s rockhounding destinations in Georgia, such as Sandersville Limestone’s echinoids and Conasauga River’s trilobites, shine in spring and fall, the best season for fossil hunting in Georgia, due to mild weather and low water levels. Supported by the Georgia Mineral Society, these prehistoric site tours in Georgia require minimal gear—hammers, shovels, and sifters suffice. Combine where to find fossils in Georgia with visits to Savannah’s historic charm or Providence Canyon’s trails, noting that collecting is banned in national parks like Ocmulgee Mounds. With high user ratings and diverse finds, Georgia’s Jurassic fossil parks in Georgia offer affordable, educational adventures for all.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Fossil Digging in Georgia

Can anyone dig for fossils in national parks in Georgia?

No, fossil collecting is prohibited in national parks like Ocmulgee Mounds to preserve scientific resources. Always check with park authorities.

What gear do I need for a fossil dig in Georgia?

For rivers like Hannahatchee Creek, bring shovels, sifters, and gloves. Beaches like Tybee Island need sand shovels. Quarries like Sandersville require hammers and chisels.

Are Georgia’s fossil dig sites family-friendly?

Yes, sites like Tybee Island and Tellus Museum are perfect for families, offering free or low-cost access and minimal equipment needs for kids and beginners.

Do I need a permit to collect fossils in Georgia?

No permit is needed for surface collecting at public sites like Pataula Creek, but private sites like Hardie Kaolin Mine require landowner permission.

What types of fossils can I find in Georgia?

Georgia offers Eocene whale skeletons at Vogtle, Cretaceous hadrosaurs at Hannahatchee Creek, Cambrian trilobites at Conasauga River, and Miocene shark teeth at Tybee Island.

When is the best time to go fossil hunting in Georgia?

Spring and fall are ideal for mild weather and low water levels, enhancing fossil visibility at rivers like Ocmulgee and beaches like St. Marys.

Can I keep the fossils I find in Georgia?

Yes, fossils from public sites like Hannahatchee Creek can be kept for personal use, but commercial collecting requires permits, and private property rules apply.

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