Fossils rockhounding sites in Mississippi

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

63 fossils destinations in Mississippi.

Rockhounding sites in Mississippi — fossils: 63 spots in our directory. Sort live from your phone with near me, or browse all U.S. fossils rockhounding sites and the Mississippi state page.

Fossils collecting in Mississippi

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

We currently document 63 fossils collecting sites in Mississippi. Each listing includes original descriptions, visitor notes, and last-updated dates when available.

What to know before you collect

Fossils destinations in Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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

All gear categories →

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

Boro's, Newton, Ms, 10-12" Above Base Of Outcrop; Bag #1 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Boro's, Newton, Ms, 10-12" Above Base Of Outcrop; Bag #1

Fossil collection site in the Cook Mountain, Newton County, Mississippi. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Byram's Ferry — fossil rockhounding site near The Red Bluff, MS

FossilMS

Byram's Ferry

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

Fee variesThe Red Bluff

Catalpa Creek — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Catalpa Creek

Fossil collection site, Lowndes County, Mississippi. Environment: fluvial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Cedar Creek — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Cedar Creek

Fossil collection site, Lowndes County, Mississippi. Environment: fluvial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Clinton, Near — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Clinton, Near

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

Fee variesMississippi

Coon Creek Tongue, Cut Of Southern Railway, 3/4 Mi W Of Wenasoga — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Coon Creek Tongue, Cut Of Southern Railway, 3/4 Mi W Of Wenasoga

Fossil collection site in the Ripley, Alcorn County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Cynthia Pit — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Cynthia Pit

Fossil collection site in the Yazoo, Hinds County, Mississippi. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

E. Hatchie Creek, Crum's Old Mill Site, 16.5 Mi Ne Of Ripley, At Base Of Section — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

E. Hatchie Creek, Crum's Old Mill Site, 16.5 Mi Ne Of Ripley, At Base Of Section

Fossil collection site in the Ripley, Alcorn County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Enterprise, Ms, Rr Cut, 3' Below Oyster Bed C/e (unit 2) — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Enterprise, Ms, Rr Cut, 3' Below Oyster Bed C/e (unit 2)

Fossil collection site in the Cook Mountain, Clarke County, Mississippi. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Eothoracosaurus Mississippiensis Type Locality — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Eothoracosaurus Mississippiensis Type Locality

Fossil collection site in the Ripley, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Frisco Railroad Bridge (no. 5710), 2 1/2 Mi Nw Of Blue Springs — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Frisco Railroad Bridge (no. 5710), 2 1/2 Mi Nw Of Blue Springs

Fossil collection site in the Ripley, Union County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Garl — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Garl

Fossil collection site in the Moodys Branch, Clarke County, Mississippi. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Goshen Springs — fossil rockhounding site near County, MS

FossilMS

Goshen Springs

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

Fee variesCounty

Gullies On Aiken Farm, About 2 1/3 Mi N Of Starkville — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Gullies On Aiken Farm, About 2 1/3 Mi N Of Starkville

Fossil collection site in the Prairie Bluff, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Gullies On Campus Of Agricultural And Mechanical College — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Gullies On Campus Of Agricultural And Mechanical College

Fossil collection site in the Prairie Bluff, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Highway 35 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Highway 35

Fossil collection site in the Yazoo, Scott County, Mississippi. Environment: foreshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Holly Springs National Forest — petrified wood rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

Petrified woodMS

Holly Springs National Forest

Holly Springs National Forest is a documented mineral occurrence near MS. Reported specimens include Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMississippi

Jablonski & Raup Locality 12 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Jablonski & Raup Locality 12

Fossil collection site, Tippah County, Mississippi. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Jablonski & Raup Locality 15 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Jablonski & Raup Locality 15

Fossil collection site, Sumter County, Mississippi. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

James Creek — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

James Creek

Fossil collection site, Monroe County, Mississippi. Environment: fluvial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Lee's Old Mill, 2 Mi Ne Of Keownville On Road To Molino — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Lee's Old Mill, 2 Mi Ne Of Keownville On Road To Molino

Fossil collection site in the Ripley, Union County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

M 139 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

M 139

Fossil collection site in the Clayton, Tippah County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

M 897 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

M 897

Fossil collection site in the Clayton, Pontotoc County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Marquette Cement Company Quarry, Glendon Limestone — fossil rockhounding site near County, MS

FossilMS

Marquette Cement Company Quarry, Glendon Limestone

Fossil collection site in the Glendon, Rankin County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

Mattuby Creek — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Mattuby Creek

Fossil collection site, Monroe County, Mississippi. Environment: fluvial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Mgs #113b — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Mgs #113b

Fossil collection site in the Byram, Warren County, Mississippi. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Mgs #39 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Mgs #39

Fossil collection site in the Red Bluff, Wayne County, Mississippi. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Mgs #46 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Mgs #46

Fossil collection site in the Red Bluff, Clarke County, Mississippi. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Mgs 120 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Mgs 120

Fossil collection site in the Winona, Clarke County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Mgs 15 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Mgs 15

Fossil collection site in the Yazoo, Hinds County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Mgs 38 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Mgs 38

Fossil collection site in the Red Bluff, Wayne County, Mississippi. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Mgs 7, Sewer Excavation Across Town Creek, Jackson — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Mgs 7, Sewer Excavation Across Town Creek, Jackson

Fossil collection site in the Moodys Branch, Hinds County, Mississippi. Environment: transition zone/lower shoreface. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Mgs Loc. 93 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Mgs Loc. 93

Fossil collection site in the Byram, Smith County, Mississippi. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Miller Bridge Bluff, Pascagoula Formation - Campbell And Otvos (1992) — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Miller Bridge Bluff, Pascagoula Formation - Campbell And Otvos (1992)

Fossil collection site in the Pensacola, Greene County, Mississippi. Environment: paralic indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Mint Spring — fossil rockhounding site near County, MS

FossilMS

Mint Spring

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

Fee variesCounty

Miss. Bureau Of Geology Test Hole 2, Sample R4483a — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Miss. Bureau Of Geology Test Hole 2, Sample R4483a

Fossil collection site in the Nanafalia, Kemper County County, Mississippi. Environment: marginal marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Miss. Bureau Of Geology Test Hole 5, Sample R4879b — fossil rockhounding site near The Tuscahoma, MS

FossilMS

Miss. Bureau Of Geology Test Hole 5, Sample R4879b

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

Fee variesThe Tuscahoma

Miss. Bureau Of Geology Test Hole Pt 3, Sample R4823 — fossil rockhounding site near The Tuscahoma, MS

FossilMS

Miss. Bureau Of Geology Test Hole Pt 3, Sample R4823

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

Fee variesThe Tuscahoma

Morton-thiokol Drillhole, Jackson Cty (674-760 M) - Campbell And Otvos (1992) — fossil rockhounding site near The Pensacola, MS

FossilMS

Morton-thiokol Drillhole, Jackson Cty (674-760 M) - Campbell And Otvos (1992)

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

Fee variesThe Pensacola

North Bank Of Town Creek Under The Gulf, Mobile And Ohio Railroad Bridge — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

North Bank Of Town Creek Under The Gulf, Mobile And Ohio Railroad Bridge

Fossil collection site in the Moodys Branch, Hinds County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

On Land Of J.a. Roberts, 5 1/2 Mi E Of New Albany... — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

On Land Of J.a. Roberts, 5 1/2 Mi E Of New Albany...

Fossil collection site in the Ripley, Union County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Otak Creek — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Otak Creek

Fossil collection site in the Yazoo, Jasper County, Mississippi. Environment: foreshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Petrified Forest Mississippi — petrified wood rockhounding site near Flora, MS

Petrified WoodMS

Petrified Forest Mississippi

Mississippi Petrified Forest near Flora displays upright fossil logs for observation; collecting prohibited in park but region has petrified wood in private gravels.

Fee requiredFlora

Petrified Wood At Mississippi Petrified Forest — fossil rockhounding site near MS, MS

FossilMS

Petrified Wood At Mississippi Petrified Forest

Petrified Wood at Mississippi Petrified Forest is a documented rockhounding destination in MS. 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 variesMississippi

Roadcut On W. Side Of Road, Sample R4405 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Roadcut On W. Side Of Road, Sample R4405

Fossil collection site in the Nanafalia, Lauderdale County County, Mississippi. Environment: marginal marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Saphire Well Petroleum (391-979 M) - Campbell And Otvos (1992) — fossil rockhounding site near The Pensacola, MS

FossilMS

Saphire Well Petroleum (391-979 M) - Campbell And Otvos (1992)

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

Fee variesThe Pensacola

Shubuta, East — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Shubuta, East

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

Fee variesMississippi

Tech — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Tech

Fossil collection site in the Moodys Branch, Yazoo County, Mississippi. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Tu 907, Newton — fossil rockhounding site near The Cook Mountain, MS

FossilMS

Tu 907, Newton

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

Fee variesThe Cook Mountain

Twentymile Creek — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Twentymile Creek

Twentymile Creek is a documented mineral occurrence near MS. Reported specimens include Fossils, Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMississippi

Ucr — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Ucr

Fossil collection site in the Ripley, Dockery County, Mississippi. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Usgs 451063. Roadcut On Northeast-facing Slope Of Hall Creek — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Usgs 451063. Roadcut On Northeast-facing Slope Of Hall Creek

Fossil collection site in the Ripley, Tippah County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Usgs 6452 Tupelo — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Usgs 6452 Tupelo

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

Fee variesMississippi

Usgs 6647a - Limestone Creek [chickasawhay Lmst] — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Usgs 6647a - Limestone Creek [chickasawhay Lmst]

Fossil collection site in the Chickasawhay, Wanye County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Usgs 7376. West Bank Of Leaf River 1 Mile Below Abandoned Bridge Over Leaf River — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Usgs 7376. West Bank Of Leaf River 1 Mile Below Abandoned Bridge Over Leaf River

Fossil collection site in the Byram, Smith County, Mississippi. Environment: offshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Usgs Loc. 10053 - Waynesboro [chickasawhay Lmst] — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Usgs Loc. 10053 - Waynesboro [chickasawhay Lmst]

Fossil collection site in the Chickasawhay, Wanye County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Usgs Loc. 12175. Old Yazoo Road, North Of National Cemetery, North Of Vicksburg — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Usgs Loc. 12175. Old Yazoo Road, North Of National Cemetery, North Of Vicksburg

Fossil collection site in the Byram, Warren County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Usgs Loc. 14345 - Sandy Creek [chickasawhay Lmst] — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Usgs Loc. 14345 - Sandy Creek [chickasawhay Lmst]

Fossil collection site in the Chickasawhay, Wanye County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Usgs Mesozoic Loc. 17783. Roadcut On The Northeast-facing Slope Of Young's Creek — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Usgs Mesozoic Loc. 17783. Roadcut On The Northeast-facing Slope Of Young's Creek

Fossil collection site in the Coffee Sand, Prentiss County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi

Vicksburg Loess Fossils — fossil rockhounding site near Vicksburg, MS

FossilMS

Vicksburg Loess Fossils

Bluff exposures along the Mississippi River near Vicksburg reveal marine fossils in loess and alluvial deposits.

Fee variesVicksburg

Wahtubbee Hills, Cut On New Orleans And Northeastern R.r., 4 Mi S Of Enterprise — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Wahtubbee Hills, Cut On New Orleans And Northeastern R.r., 4 Mi S Of Enterprise

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

Fee variesMississippi

Waynesboro — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Waynesboro

Waynesboro is a documented mineral occurrence near MS. Reported specimens include Fossils, Petrified palm wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesMississippi

Whitten Farm In The Sw Corner Of The Sw Quarter Of Section 21 — fossil rockhounding site near Mississippi, MS

FossilMS

Whitten Farm In The Sw Corner Of The Sw Quarter Of Section 21

Fossil collection site in the Ripley, Union County, Mississippi. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesMississippi