The United States is home to numerous sites where ancient life is beautifully preserved. These locations offer a glimpse into Earth’s distant past, showcasing fossils of plants and animals that once thrived. Here’s a friendly guide to ten remarkable fossil destinations across the country.
1. Petrified Forest National Park
In Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park, you’ll find stunning petrified wood from the Late Triassic period. Here, ancient trees turned to stone as groundwater replaced wood cells with silica. Visitors can drive through the park, join ranger-led programs, and explore interactive exhibits at the visitor centers.
2. Dinosaur National Monument
Straddling the Colorado-Utah border, Dinosaur National Monument boasts around 1,500 dinosaur bones from species like Allosaurus and Stegosaurus. The Quarry Exhibit Hall allows visitors to see and even touch 149-million-year-old fossils. Camping options like Green River Campground enhance the experience.
3. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Home to one of the world’s richest fossil deposits, this Colorado site features up to 1,700 species, including massive petrified sequoia stumps. Start at the visitor center with the film “Shadows of the Past,” then hike the Petrified Forest Loop to see these ancient giants.
4. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
Known for the Hagerman Horse fossils, considered a link between prehistoric and modern horses, this Idaho monument is a treasure trove for paleontologists. The visitor center offers insights into these significant finds.
5. Devonian Fossil Gorge
Discover fossils 200 million years older than dinosaurs at this Iowa site. Floods in 1993 and 2008 exposed Devonian bedrock, revealing a fossil-rich ancient seafloor. With nearly two dozen spots to explore, it’s a haven for fossil enthusiasts.
6. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
This Nebraska monument preserves Miocene Epoch mammal fossils, showcasing animals that lived 19–21 million years ago. A visit to the bone bed exhibit and a hike on the Fossil Hills Trail offer a journey into prehistoric times.
7. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Protecting over 40 million years of plant and animal evolution, this Oregon monument is divided into three units, each with unique fossil records. The Thomas Condon Visitor Center features exhibits and a working lab for deeper exploration.
8. Badlands National Park
Known for rich fossil beds of ancient mammals like rhinos and saber-toothed cats, Badlands National Park offers a glimpse into life millions of years ago. The visitor center and a working paleontology lab provide educational experiences.
9. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
This park preserves one of the best examples of an ancient marine fossil reef. Imagine a vast tropical sea as you explore trails with a fossil guide to identify prehistoric marine life.
10. Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry
Containing the densest concentration of Jurassic-aged dinosaur bones ever found, this Utah quarry puzzles scientists with its high number of carnivorous fossils. It’s a must-visit for dinosaur enthusiasts.
Tara is an ocean enthusiast who spends her time exploring the South African coastline. With an Honours Degree in Marine Biology and previous experience in Marketing, she now channels her passion for the marine environment into a career in Science Communication. Tara’s unique blend of expertise allows her to effectively bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and public understanding, promoting marine conservation and ocean protection.
