Fossils rockhounding sites in Massachusetts

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

42 fossils destinations in Massachusetts.

Rockhounding sites in Massachusetts — fossils: 42 spots in our directory. Sort live from your phone with near me, or browse all U.S. fossils rockhounding sites and the Massachusetts state page.

Fossils collecting in Massachusetts

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

We currently document 42 fossils collecting sites in Massachusetts. Each listing includes original descriptions, visitor notes, and last-updated dates when available.

What to know before you collect

Fossils destinations in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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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Assawompset Pond — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Assawompset Pond

Fossil collection site, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Environment: lacustrine - small. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Boynton Farm, South Hadley — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Boynton Farm, South Hadley

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Chappaquiddick Island — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Chappaquiddick Island

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

Fee variesMassachusetts

Chicopee Falls Tracksite — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Chicopee Falls Tracksite

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Environment: lacustrine - small. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Cotuit Port — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Cotuit Port

Fossil collection site, Barnstable County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Downstream From The Holyoke Dam — fossil rockhounding site near The Portland, MA

FossilMA

Downstream From The Holyoke Dam

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Massachusetts. Environment: pond. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Portland

Eagle Hill — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Eagle Hill

Fossil collection site, Gloucester County, Massachusetts. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

East Wareham — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

East Wareham

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

Fee variesMassachusetts

Fletcher Granite Quarry - North Chemsford, Massachusetts — fossil rockhounding site near MA, MA

FossilMA

Fletcher Granite Quarry - North Chemsford, Massachusetts

Fletcher Granite Quarry - North Chemsford, Massachusetts is a documented rockhounding destination in MA. Collectors visit for fossils, trilobites, dinosaur bone and related material. Access rules and land ownership vary — confirm current status with the managing agency or landowner before collecting.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Fort River, Hadley — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Fort River, Hadley

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

Fee variesMassachusetts

Gary Gaulin Tracksite, Holyoke — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Gary Gaulin Tracksite, Holyoke

Fossil collection site in the East Berlin, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Environment: lacustrine - large. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Gay Head Cliffs — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Gay Head Cliffs

Fossil collection site, Dukes County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Gay Head Cliffs, Marthas Vineyard — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Gay Head Cliffs, Marthas Vineyard

Fossil collection site, Dukes County, Massachusetts. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Hewitts Cove Section — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Hewitts Cove Section

Fossil collection site in the Cambridge, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. Environment: marginal marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Hine's Quarry, Longmeadow — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Hine's Quarry, Longmeadow

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Horse Race, Gill — fossil rockhounding site near The Mount Toby, MA

FossilMA

Horse Race, Gill

Fossil collection site in the Mount Toby, Massachusetts. Environment: lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Mount Toby

Horse Race, Turner's Falls, Montague — fossil rockhounding site near The Mount Toby, MA

FossilMA

Horse Race, Turner's Falls, Montague

Fossil collection site in the Mount Toby, Massachusetts. Environment: lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Mount Toby

Howland's Farm Tracksite, Gill — fossil rockhounding site near County, MA

FossilMA

Howland's Farm Tracksite, Gill

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

I-91 Roadcut, Holyoke — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

I-91 Roadcut, Holyoke

Fossil collection site in the East Berlin, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Lignitic Clay Megaspore Site — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Lignitic Clay Megaspore Site

Fossil collection site, Massachusetts. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Mitineaque Falls Tracksite — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Mitineaque Falls Tracksite

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Montague City — fossil rockhounding site near County, MA

FossilMA

Montague City

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Environment: fluvial-lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

Moody's Corner — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Moody's Corner

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Environment: fluvial-lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Mount Holyoke Seminary Tracksite, South Hadley — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Mount Holyoke Seminary Tracksite, South Hadley

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Environment: fluvial-lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Mount Tom, "ostrom Bed" — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Mount Tom, "ostrom Bed"

Fossil collection site in the East Berlin, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Environment: lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Narragansett Basin — fossil rockhounding site near The Rhode Island, MA

FossilMA

Narragansett Basin

Fossil collection site in the Rhode Island, Massachusetts. Environment: fluvial-lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Rhode Island

North Attleborough — fossil rockhounding site near The Wamsutta, MA

FossilMA

North Attleborough

Fossil collection site in the Wamsutta, Massachusetts. Environment: wet floodplain. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Wamsutta

Northeast Deerfield Tracksite — fossil rockhounding site near County, MA

FossilMA

Northeast Deerfield Tracksite

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

Opposite Millers River — fossil rockhounding site near County, MA

FossilMA

Opposite Millers River

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

Plum Island — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Plum Island

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

Fee variesMassachusetts

Point Shirley, Massachusetts (pleistocene) — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Point Shirley, Massachusetts (pleistocene)

Fossil collection site, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Roswell Field's Orchard, Gill — fossil rockhounding site near County, MA

FossilMA

Roswell Field's Orchard, Gill

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Environment: fluvial-lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

Sankaty Head, Massachusetts (early Fauna; Pleistocene) — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Sankaty Head, Massachusetts (early Fauna; Pleistocene)

Fossil collection site, Nantucket County, Massachusetts. Environment: estuary/bay. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Smith's Ferry Tracksite — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Smith's Ferry Tracksite

Fossil collection site in the East Berlin, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Environment: fluvial-lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

South Bank Of Connecticut River (marsh Collection) — fossil rockhounding site near The Mount Toby, MA

FossilMA

South Bank Of Connecticut River (marsh Collection)

Fossil collection site in the Mount Toby, Massachusetts. Environment: lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Mount Toby

South Bank Of Connecticut River (marsh-stoughton Collection) — fossil rockhounding site near The Mount Toby, MA

FossilMA

South Bank Of Connecticut River (marsh-stoughton Collection)

Fossil collection site in the Mount Toby, Massachusetts. Environment: lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Mount Toby

South Hadley Falls Tracksite — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

South Hadley Falls Tracksite

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

South Of Mill, South Hadley — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

South Of Mill, South Hadley

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Environment: fluvial-lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Stream Near Pliny Moody's, Tracksite — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Stream Near Pliny Moody's, Tracksite

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Environment: fluvial-lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Titian's Piazza, Hadley Tracksite — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Titian's Piazza, Hadley Tracksite

Fossil collection site in the East Berlin, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Environment: fluvial-lacustrine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts

Turners Falls, Canal Locks Tracksite — fossil rockhounding site near County, MA

FossilMA

Turners Falls, Canal Locks Tracksite

Fossil collection site in the Portland, Franklin County, Massachusetts. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

Weyquosque Cliffs (eastern Marl Bed) — fossil rockhounding site near Massachusetts, MA

FossilMA

Weyquosque Cliffs (eastern Marl Bed)

Fossil collection site, Dukes County, Massachusetts. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMassachusetts