Fossils rockhounding sites in Idaho

Trilobites, brachiopods, petrified wood, and other paleontological collecting on public land.

47 fossils destinations in Idaho.

Rockhounding sites in Idaho — fossils: 47 spots in our directory. Sort live from your phone with near me, or browse all U.S. fossils rockhounding sites and the Idaho state page.

Guides & hubs: Idaho rockhounding guide · Gem mining near me — Spencer Opal & public digs

Fossils collecting in Idaho

Trilobites, brachiopods, petrified wood, and other paleontological collecting on public land.

We currently document 47 fossils collecting sites in Idaho. Each listing includes original descriptions, visitor notes, and last-updated dates when available.

What to know before you collect

Fossils destinations in Idaho vary widely in access, season, and legality. Some are official recreation areas; others are informal gravel bars. Read the access and safety sections on each listing — never assume collecting is allowed without checking current signage.

For trip planning beyond this filter, browse the full Idaho state page, our guides, or use near me to sort by distance from your location.

How we research listings · Report a correction · Safety disclaimer

What to pack for fossil hunting

Splitting shale and hiking exposures — gear we compare for paleontology field trips.

Chisels & Wedges — Split matrix cleanly and protect your specimens

Chisels & Wedges

Split matrix cleanly and protect your specimens

5 products compared

Safety Glasses — Non-negotiable eye protection when hammering rock

Safety Glasses

Non-negotiable eye protection when hammering rock

4 products compared

Specimen Bags & Wrap — Get your finds home without chips and scratches

Specimen Bags & Wrap

Get your finds home without chips and scratches

4 products compared

Field Gloves — Cut and abrasion protection for sharp rock and tools

Field Gloves

Cut and abrasion protection for sharp rock and tools

4 products compared

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Disclosure: Gear links may earn a commission as an Amazon Associate — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

1205-base — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

1205-base

Fossil collection site in the Gallatin Limestone, Bonneville, Madison, Teton County, Idaho. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

4.8 Km East Of Boise — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

4.8 Km East Of Boise

Fossil collection site in the Chalk Hills, Ada County, Idaho. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Amnh B7858, Conant Valley — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Amnh B7858, Conant Valley

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Bear Lake — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Bear Lake

Bear Lake is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Fossils. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

Bear River Range — fossil rockhounding site near County County, ID

FossilID

Bear River Range

Fossil collection site in the Garden City, Franklin County County, Idaho. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty County

Channel Near Big Windy Peak — fossil rockhounding site near The Spring Mountain, ID

FossilID

Channel Near Big Windy Peak

Fossil collection site in the Spring Mountain, Idaho. Environment: "channel". Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Spring Mountain

Crab Ridge, Logan River — fossil rockhounding site near County, ID

FossilID

Crab Ridge, Logan River

Fossil collection site in the Garden City, Franklin County, Idaho. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

East Of Bear Lake — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

East Of Bear Lake

Fossil collection site in the Twin Creek Limestone, Bear Lake County, Idaho. Environment: sand shoal. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Emerald Creek Site #1 (p-37) — fossil rockhounding site near The Clarkia, ID

FossilID

Emerald Creek Site #1 (p-37)

Fossil collection site in the Clarkia, Idaho. Environment: lacustrine - large. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Clarkia

Georgetown-nounan Road — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Georgetown-nounan Road

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Bear Lake County, Idaho. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Grizzly Creek, Caribou County — fossil rockhounding site near The Park City, ID

FossilID

Grizzly Creek, Caribou County

Fossil collection site in the Park City, Idaho. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Park City

Hagerman (clover Creek) — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Hagerman (clover Creek)

Fossil collection site in the Glenns Ferry, Elmore County, Idaho. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Henry, Claraia Zone, Caribou County — fossil rockhounding site near The Dinwoody, ID

FossilID

Henry, Claraia Zone, Caribou County

Fossil collection site in the Dinwoody, Idaho. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Dinwoody

Imnh Locality 69003 — fossil rockhounding site near Falls County, ID

FossilID

Imnh Locality 69003

Fossil collection site in the Glenns Ferry, Twin Falls County, Idaho. Environment: "floodplain". Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesFalls County

Imnh Locality 80005 — fossil rockhounding site near Falls County, ID

FossilID

Imnh Locality 80005

Fossil collection site in the Glenns Ferry, Twin Falls County, Idaho. Environment: "floodplain". Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesFalls County

Imnh Locality 85029 — fossil rockhounding site near Falls County, ID

FossilID

Imnh Locality 85029

Fossil collection site in the Glenns Ferry, Twin Falls County, Idaho. Environment: "floodplain". Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesFalls County

Little Jacks Creek — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Little Jacks Creek

Fossil collection site in the Chalk Hills, Owyhee County, Idaho. Environment: lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Locality 37n (pend Oreille Lake) — fossil rockhounding site near The Lakeview, ID

FossilID

Locality 37n (pend Oreille Lake)

Fossil collection site in the Lakeview, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Lakeview

Maybe Canyon, Dry Ridge, Caribou County — fossil rockhounding site near The Phosphoria, ID

FossilID

Maybe Canyon, Dry Ridge, Caribou County

Fossil collection site in the Phosphoria, Idaho. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Phosphoria

Mcbride Creek — petrified wood rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

Petrified woodID

Mcbride Creek

McBride Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near ID. Reported specimens include Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesIdaho

North Of Red Rock Pass — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

North Of Red Rock Pass

Fossil collection site in the Salt Lake, Bannock County, Idaho. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

North Wooley Range, Caribou County — fossil rockhounding site near The Phosphoria, ID

FossilID

North Wooley Range, Caribou County

Fossil collection site in the Phosphoria, Idaho. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Phosphoria

Paris Canyon, Bear Lake County — fossil rockhounding site near The Phosphoria, ID

FossilID

Paris Canyon, Bear Lake County

Fossil collection site in the Phosphoria, Idaho. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Phosphoria

Paris Canyon, Dinwoody Fm — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Paris Canyon, Dinwoody Fm

Fossil collection site in the Dinwoody, Bear Lake County, Idaho. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Reservoir Mountain (locality 3) — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Reservoir Mountain (locality 3)

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Robison Bonebed (imnh 2251) — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Robison Bonebed (imnh 2251)

Fossil collection site in the Wayan, Bonneville County, Idaho. Environment: crevasse splay. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Sjs-841, Eightmile Canyon, Arco Hills — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Sjs-841, Eightmile Canyon, Arco Hills

Fossil collection site, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Trapper Creek Flora — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Trapper Creek Flora

Fossil collection site in the Beaverdam, Cassia County, Idaho. Environment: lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Ucm L-676, Paris Canyon — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Ucm L-676, Paris Canyon

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Bear Lake County, Idaho. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Usgs 10519-pc, North Dry Valley — fossil rockhounding site near The Phosphoria, ID

FossilID

Usgs 10519-pc, North Dry Valley

Fossil collection site in the Phosphoria, Idaho. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Phosphoria

Usgs 10593-pc, Swan Lake Canyon — fossil rockhounding site near The Phosphoria, ID

FossilID

Usgs 10593-pc, Swan Lake Canyon

Fossil collection site in the Phosphoria, Idaho. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Phosphoria

Usgs 1271-pc, Yandell Springs — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 1271-pc, Yandell Springs

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 1304a-pc, Yandell Springs — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 1304a-pc, Yandell Springs

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 1315-pc, Yandell Springs — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 1315-pc, Yandell Springs

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 1336-pc, Jeff Cabin Creek — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 1336-pc, Jeff Cabin Creek

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 5013, Bear Lake Hot Springs — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 5013, Bear Lake Hot Springs

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 7390 Green, Montpelier Canyon — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 7390 Green, Montpelier Canyon

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 7395 Green, Montpelier Canyon — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 7395 Green, Montpelier Canyon

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 7813 Green, Crane Creek — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 7813 Green, Crane Creek

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 7825 Green, Caribou County — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 7825 Green, Caribou County

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 7878 Green, Sage Creek — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 7878 Green, Sage Creek

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: open shallow subtidal. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 823-pc, Caribou County — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 823-pc, Caribou County

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 826-pc, Caribou County — fossil rockhounding site near The Thaynes, ID

FossilID

Usgs 826-pc, Caribou County

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Idaho. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Thaynes

Usgs 978, Duke Claim, Swan Lake — fossil rockhounding site near The Phosphoria, ID

FossilID

Usgs 978, Duke Claim, Swan Lake

Fossil collection site in the Phosphoria, Idaho. Environment: offshore ramp. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Phosphoria

Usgs 993, Diamond Claim, Swan Lake — fossil rockhounding site near The Phosphoria, ID

FossilID

Usgs 993, Diamond Claim, Swan Lake

Fossil collection site in the Phosphoria, Idaho. Environment: offshore ramp. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Phosphoria

Wood Canyon, Aspen Range — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Wood Canyon, Aspen Range

Fossil collection site in the Thaynes, Caribou County, Idaho. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho

Wood Canyon, Packstone — fossil rockhounding site near Idaho, ID

FossilID

Wood Canyon, Packstone

Fossil collection site in the Arco Hills, Custer County, Idaho. Environment: deep subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesIdaho