Fossils rockhounding sites in North Carolina

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

30 fossils destinations in North Carolina.

Rockhounding sites in North Carolina — fossils: 30 spots in our directory. Sort live from your phone with near me, or browse all U.S. fossils rockhounding sites and the North Carolina state page.

Fossils collecting in North Carolina

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

We currently document 30 fossils collecting sites in North Carolina. Each listing includes original descriptions, visitor notes, and last-updated dates when available.

What to know before you collect

Fossils destinations in North Carolina 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 North Carolina state page, our guides, or use near me to sort by distance from your location.

How we research listings · Report a correction · Safety disclaimer

Beaufort Harbor — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Beaufort Harbor

Fossil collection site, Beaufort County, North Carolina. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Blowing Springs Cave — fossil rockhounding site near County, NC
FossilNC

Blowing Springs Cave

Fossil collection site, Swain County, North Carolina. Environment: cave. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty
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Castle Hayne — fossil rockhounding site near The Castle Hayne, NC
FossilNC

Castle Hayne

Fossil collection site in the Castle Hayne, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Castle Hayne
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Core Creek — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Core Creek

Fossil collection site in the Castle Hayne, Craven County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Dan River — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Dan River

Fossil collection site in the Cumnock, Chatham County, North Carolina. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Dromicosuchus Quarry — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Dromicosuchus Quarry

Fossil collection site, Durham County, North Carolina. Environment: fluvial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Duplin Formation — fossil rockhounding site near The Duplin, NC
FossilNC

Duplin Formation

Fossil collection site in the Duplin, North Carolina. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Duplin
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Ellberle — petrified wood rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
Petrified woodNC

Ellberle

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

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Flower's Marl Pit — fossil rockhounding site near County, NC
FossilNC

Flower's Marl Pit

Fossil collection site, Duplin County, North Carolina. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty
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Halifax County — petrified wood rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
Petrified woodNC

Halifax County

Halifax County is a documented mineral occurrence near NC. Reported specimens include Petrified wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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James King Marl Pits — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

James King Marl Pits

Fossil collection site, Sampson County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Kitty Hawk — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Kitty Hawk

Fossil collection site in the Pamlico, Currituck County, North Carolina. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Leaksville — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Leaksville

Fossil collection site, Rockingham County, North Carolina. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Lee Creek Mine — fossil rockhounding site near The Pungo River, NC
FossilNC

Lee Creek Mine

Fossil collection site in the Pungo River, North Carolina. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Pungo River
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M 146 — fossil rockhounding site near County, NC
FossilNC

M 146

Fossil collection site in the Castle Hayne, Duplin County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty
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M 152 — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

M 152

Fossil collection site in the Castle Hayne, Pitt County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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M 362 — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

M 362

Fossil collection site in the Castle Hayne, Harnett County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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M 363 — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

M 363

Fossil collection site in the Castle Hayne, Jones County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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M 364 — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

M 364

Fossil collection site in the Santee Limestone, Jones County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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M 367 — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

M 367

Fossil collection site in the Castle Hayne, Pender County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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M 781 — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

M 781

Fossil collection site in the Gosport Sand, Johnston County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Mosleys Creek — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Mosleys Creek

Fossil collection site in the Castle Hayne, Craven County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Near Mount Olive — fossil rockhounding site near County, NC
FossilNC

Near Mount Olive

Fossil collection site, Duplin County, North Carolina. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty
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Onslow Beach, Holocene — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Onslow Beach, Holocene

Fossil collection site, Onslow County, North Carolina. Environment: foreshore. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Pekin — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Pekin

Fossil collection site in the Pekin, Montgomery County, North Carolina. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Troy — petrified wood rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
Petrified woodNC

Troy

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

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Usgs 11999 — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Usgs 11999

Fossil collection site in the Yorktown, Bertie County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Vanceboro — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Vanceboro

Fossil collection site in the Castle Hayne, Craven County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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Wilmington Rail Road — fossil rockhounding site near North Carolina, NC
FossilNC

Wilmington Rail Road

Fossil collection site, Beaufort County, North Carolina. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesNorth Carolina
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