Fossils rockhounding sites in Tennessee

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

25 fossils destinations in Tennessee.

Rockhounding sites in Tennessee — fossils: 25 spots in our directory. Sort live from your phone with near me, or browse all U.S. fossils rockhounding sites and the Tennessee state page.

Guides & hubs: Tennessee rockhounding guide · Geodes in Tennessee — Cumberland Plateau guide · Geodes near me — national belts map

Fossils collecting in Tennessee

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

We currently document 25 fossils collecting sites in Tennessee. Each listing includes original descriptions, visitor notes, and last-updated dates when available.

What to know before you collect

Fossils destinations in Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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.

93pw1 — fossil rockhounding site near The Leipers, TN

FossilTN

93pw1

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

Fee variesThe Leipers

94cn17 — fossil rockhounding site near The Hermitage, TN

FossilTN

94cn17

Fossil collection site in the Hermitage, Tennessee. Environment: deep subtidal ramp. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Hermitage

94co17 — fossil rockhounding site near The Catheys, TN

FossilTN

94co17

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

Fee variesThe Catheys

94ht1 — fossil rockhounding site near The Hendersonville Shale, TN

FossilTN

94ht1

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

Fee variesThe Hendersonville Shale

95bp4 — fossil rockhounding site near The Fernvale Limestone, TN

FossilTN

95bp4

Fossil collection site in the Fernvale Limestone, Tennessee. Environment: sand shoal. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Fernvale Limestone

95bs1 — fossil rockhounding site near The Sequatchie, TN

FossilTN

95bs1

Fossil collection site in the Sequatchie, Tennessee. Environment: deep subtidal ramp. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Sequatchie

95df1 — fossil rockhounding site near The Leipers, TN

FossilTN

95df1

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

Fee variesThe Leipers

95fr19 — fossil rockhounding site near The Catheys, TN

FossilTN

95fr19

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

Fee variesThe Catheys

95gl5 — fossil rockhounding site near The Catheys, TN

FossilTN

95gl5

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

Fee variesThe Catheys

95hc43 — fossil rockhounding site near The Hermitage, TN

FossilTN

95hc43

Fossil collection site in the Hermitage, Tennessee. Environment: deep subtidal ramp. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Hermitage

95pu2 — fossil rockhounding site near The Arnheim, TN

FossilTN

95pu2

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

Fee variesThe Arnheim

95rc6 — fossil rockhounding site near The Catheys, TN

FossilTN

95rc6

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

Fee variesThe Catheys

95scd8 — fossil rockhounding site near The Leipers, TN

FossilTN

95scd8

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

Fee variesThe Leipers

96blc9 — fossil rockhounding site near The Hermitage, TN

FossilTN

96blc9

Fossil collection site in the Hermitage, Tennessee. Environment: deep subtidal ramp. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Hermitage

97gc6 — fossil rockhounding site near The Catheys, TN

FossilTN

97gc6

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

Fee variesThe Catheys

Armory Grounds, Crossing Of U. S. Hwy 70 & Stone River 1.5 Mi. Nw Of Murfreesbor — fossil rockhounding site near The Murfreesboro Limestone, TN

FossilTN

Armory Grounds, Crossing Of U. S. Hwy 70 & Stone River 1.5 Mi. Nw Of Murfreesbor

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

Fee variesThe Murfreesboro Limestone

Blue Spring Cave — fossil rockhounding site near Tennessee, TN

FossilTN

Blue Spring Cave

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

Fee variesTennessee

Cheek Bend Cave — fossil rockhounding site near Tennessee, TN

FossilTN

Cheek Bend Cave

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

Fee variesTennessee

Hawkins County — fossil rockhounding site near Tennessee, TN

FossilTN

Hawkins County

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

Fee variesTennessee

Loc. Z-654. Highway Cut, Mile 43 On Interstate 65 Appx 12 Km Ese Of Columbia — fossil rockhounding site near Tennessee, TN

FossilTN

Loc. Z-654. Highway Cut, Mile 43 On Interstate 65 Appx 12 Km Ese Of Columbia

Fossil collection site in the Lebanon Limestone, Maury County, Tennessee. Environment: deep subtidal shelf. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTennessee

Lookout Mountain — fossil rockhounding site near Tennessee, TN

FossilTN

Lookout Mountain

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

Fee variesTennessee

Memphis — fossil rockhounding site near Tennessee, TN

FossilTN

Memphis

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

Fee variesTennessee

Pulaski — fossil rockhounding site near The Fernvale, TN

FossilTN

Pulaski

Fossil collection site in the Fernvale, Tennessee. Environment: deep subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesThe Fernvale

Pulaski Loc. Z-652. 15 Meters. M. C. West Lime Company Quarry At Turney — fossil rockhounding site near Tennessee, TN

FossilTN

Pulaski Loc. Z-652. 15 Meters. M. C. West Lime Company Quarry At Turney

Fossil collection site in the Lebanon Limestone, Giles County, Tennessee. Environment: deep subtidal shelf. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.

Fee variesTennessee

Ruby Falls Cave — fossil rockhounding site near Tennessee, TN

FossilTN

Ruby Falls Cave

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

Fee variesTennessee