Fossils rockhounding sites in Pennsylvania

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

49 fossils destinations in Pennsylvania.

Rockhounding sites in Pennsylvania — fossils: 49 spots in our directory. Sort live from your phone with near me, or browse all U.S. fossils rockhounding sites and the Pennsylvania state page.

Guides & hubs: Pennsylvania rockhounding guide

Fossils collecting in Pennsylvania

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

We currently document 49 fossils collecting sites in Pennsylvania. Each listing includes original descriptions, visitor notes, and last-updated dates when available.

What to know before you collect

Fossils destinations in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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.

Ames Locality, Along Allegheny Valley Expressway, Allegheny County — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Ames Locality, Along Allegheny Valley Expressway, Allegheny County

Fossil collection site in the Glenshaw, Allegheny County County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Athens — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Athens

Fossil collection site in the Chemung, Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Bainbridge — petrified wood rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

Petrified woodPA

Bainbridge

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

Fee variesPennsylvania

Banks Of The Nescopeck Creek Under An Overpass Of Us I-80, Near Hazleton — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Banks Of The Nescopeck Creek Under An Overpass Of Us I-80, Near Hazleton

Fossil collection site in the Mauch Chunk, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Environment: delta plain. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Beaver Falls, On Bank Above Railroad One-half Mile North Of Train Station — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Beaver Falls, On Bank Above Railroad One-half Mile North Of Train Station

Fossil collection site in the Vanport, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Bedford — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Bedford

Fossil collection site in the Mahantango, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Bens Creek, First Cut West Of The Station On The Pennsylvania Railroad — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Bens Creek, First Cut West Of The Station On The Pennsylvania Railroad

Fossil collection site in the Glenshaw, Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Blackburn, Along Branch Of Pennsylvania Railroad Bn. North Trafford & Murrysvill — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Blackburn, Along Branch Of Pennsylvania Railroad Bn. North Trafford & Murrysvill

Fossil collection site in the Glenshaw, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Bloomsburg — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Bloomsburg

Fossil collection site in the Chemung, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Bradford — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Bradford

Fossil collection site in the Machias, McKean County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Bucks County — petrified wood rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

Petrified woodPA

Bucks County

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

Fee variesPennsylvania

C. Lataegenae Subzone, Imler Quarry Sect. Gatesburg Fm, Pa - Taylor Et. Al 2000 — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

C. Lataegenae Subzone, Imler Quarry Sect. Gatesburg Fm, Pa - Taylor Et. Al 2000

Fossil collection site in the Gatesburg, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Canton — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Canton

Fossil collection site in the Chemung, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Churchtown — petrified wood rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

Petrified woodPA

Churchtown

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

Fee variesPennsylvania

Crinoid Locality, Union Furnace, Route 453 Roadcut — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Crinoid Locality, Union Furnace, Route 453 Roadcut

Fossil collection site in the Hatter, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Environment: lagoonal/restricted shallow subtidal. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Delaware Water Gap Fossils — fossil rockhounding site near Stroudsburg, PA

FossilPA

Delaware Water Gap Fossils

Hardwick limestone and Cambrian formations in the Delaware Water Gap region contain trilobite fragments in road cuts and streams.

Fee variesStroudsburg

Drab-beavertown, Db-1, Gatesburg Formation, Ore Hill Member, Blair County — fossil rockhounding site near The Gatesburg, PA

FossilPA

Drab-beavertown, Db-1, Gatesburg Formation, Ore Hill Member, Blair County

Fossil collection site in the Gatesburg, Pennsylvania. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Gatesburg

Durham Cave #2 — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Durham Cave #2

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

Fee variesPennsylvania

Ellengowan Shaft — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Ellengowan Shaft

Fossil collection site in the Llewellyn, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Farmington — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Farmington

Fossil collection site in the Chemung, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Granville — fossil rockhounding site near County, PA

FossilPA

Granville

Fossil collection site in the Chemung, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

Green, Marquis & Johnson Quarries, One Mile Southeast Of Courthouse, New Castle — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Green, Marquis & Johnson Quarries, One Mile Southeast Of Courthouse, New Castle

Fossil collection site in the Vanport, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Greensburg — petrified wood rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

Petrified woodPA

Greensburg

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

Fee variesPennsylvania

Hall Locality 457-458, Kelly Creek, Two Miles Northeast Of Mansfield — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Hall Locality 457-458, Kelly Creek, Two Miles Northeast Of Mansfield

Fossil collection site in the Lock Haven, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Mansfield — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Mansfield

Fossil collection site in the Chemung, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Maple Glen — petrified wood rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

Petrified woodPA

Maple Glen

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

Fee variesPennsylvania

Meadville — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Meadville

Fossil collection site in the Chemung, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Mifflin Sand Quarry, Mcveytown, Pa (locality 5), Onondaga Limestone — fossil rockhounding site near County, PA

FossilPA

Mifflin Sand Quarry, Mcveytown, Pa (locality 5), Onondaga Limestone

Fossil collection site in the Onondaga, Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. Environment: deep subtidal shelf. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

Mount Etna Section, Unit 5, 23.9-27.7’ Below Top Of Formation — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Mount Etna Section, Unit 5, 23.9-27.7’ Below Top Of Formation

Fossil collection site in the Stonehenge, Blair County, Pennsylvania. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Nelson Farm — fossil rockhounding site near The Cussewago, PA

FossilPA

Nelson Farm

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

Fee variesThe Cussewago

P. Magna Subzone , Eschelman Quarry Sect,, Gatesburg Fm, Pa - Taylor Et Al. 2000 — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

P. Magna Subzone , Eschelman Quarry Sect,, Gatesburg Fm, Pa - Taylor Et Al. 2000

Fossil collection site in the Gatesburg, Bedford County, Pennsylvania. Environment: reef, buildup or bioherm. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Phacops Rana Fossil (trilobite) — fossil rockhounding site near PA, PA

FossilPA

Phacops Rana Fossil (trilobite)

Phacops rana fossil (trilobite) is a documented rockhounding destination in PA. 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 variesPennsylvania

Port Kennedy Cave — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Port Kennedy Cave

Fossil collection site, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Environment: cave. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Port Matilda — fossil rockhounding site near The Catsgill, PA

FossilPA

Port Matilda

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

Fee variesThe Catsgill

Quarry At The Junction Of Lincoln Highway & Biesecker Road, Thomasville — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Quarry At The Junction Of Lincoln Highway & Biesecker Road, Thomasville

Fossil collection site in the Kinzers, York County, Pennsylvania. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Rochester, From Outcrops Along Railroad Between Rochester And New Brighton — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Rochester, From Outcrops Along Railroad Between Rochester And New Brighton

Fossil collection site in the Vanport, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Sinkhole No. 4 — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Sinkhole No. 4

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

Fee variesPennsylvania

South Side Of U. S. Highway 30, 1 Mile S. 70° W. Of St. Thomas — fossil rockhounding site near County, PA

FossilPA

South Side Of U. S. Highway 30, 1 Mile S. 70° W. Of St. Thomas

Fossil collection site in the Chambersburg, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesCounty

Southeast Stemton — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Southeast Stemton

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

Fee variesPennsylvania

Stoops Ferry — fossil rockhounding site near The Pine Creek, PA

FossilPA

Stoops Ferry

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

Fee variesThe Pine Creek

Stroudsburg — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Stroudsburg

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

Fee variesPennsylvania

Tionesta — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Tionesta

Fossil collection site in the Pocono, Forest County, Pennsylvania. Environment: paralic indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Union City — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Union City

Fossil collection site in the Chemung, Erie County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Unit 1 (29 Ft. Below Top), Upper Shale Member, Mahantango Fm., New Bloomfield, P — fossil rockhounding site near The Mahantango, PA

FossilPA

Unit 1 (29 Ft. Below Top), Upper Shale Member, Mahantango Fm., New Bloomfield, P

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

Fee variesThe Mahantango

Unit 1 (top Of Unit), Upper Shale Member, Mahantango Formation, Girtys Notch, Pa — fossil rockhounding site near The Mahantango, PA

FossilPA

Unit 1 (top Of Unit), Upper Shale Member, Mahantango Formation, Girtys Notch, Pa

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

Fee variesThe Mahantango

Usgs 2448-co. Thomasville Stone And Lime Company. Thomasville — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Usgs 2448-co. Thomasville Stone And Lime Company. Thomasville

Fossil collection site in the Vintage, York County, Pennsylvania. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Usnm Loc. 22l, Kinzers Fm, Pa - Garci-bellido Capdevila And Conway Morris 1999 — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Usnm Loc. 22l, Kinzers Fm, Pa - Garci-bellido Capdevila And Conway Morris 1999

Fossil collection site in the Kinzers, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

Wellsboro — fossil rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

FossilPA

Wellsboro

Fossil collection site in the Chemung, Tioga County, Pennsylvania. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesPennsylvania

York Haven — petrified wood rockhounding site near Pennsylvania, PA

Petrified woodPA

York Haven

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

Fee variesPennsylvania