FossilTX
Asteroidea, Ben White Roadcut, Del Rio Fm, Austin, Travis County
Fossil collection site in the Del Rio, Travis County, Texas. Environment: offshore shelf. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsRockhounding sites near Austin
24 rockhounding collecting sites within about 100 miles of Austin, Texas.
This page lists 24 natural rockhounding sites near Austin, Texas, sorted by distance within about 100 miles.
Where can you collect near Austin?
Near Austin, Texas, our directory maps 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 100 miles of the city center — including 23 fossilss and 1 other. The closest mapped spot is Asteroidea, Ben White Roadcut, Del Rio Fm, Austin, Travis County (0.4 mi straight-line). Distances are not drive time; open each listing for directions, fee notes, access rules, and safety context before you travel.
At a glance — rockhounding sites near Austin
| Central place | Austin, Texas |
|---|---|
| Search radius | About 100 miles |
| Mapped spots | 24 |
| Closest listing | Asteroidea, Ben White Roadcut, Del Rio Fm, Austin, Travis County (0.4 mi) |
| Specimen types | Fossils (23), Other (1) |
| Typical fees | 24 varies |
All rockhounding sites near Austin
24 rockhounding collecting sites in Texas, sorted by distance from the city center. For live GPS sorting, use rockhounding sites near me.
FossilTX
Bluff Decapods
Fossil collection site in the Grayson Marl, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Williamson Creek And Manchaca Road, Lower Member [buda Limestone]
Fossil collection site in the Buda Limestone, Travis County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Pilot Knob
Fossil collection site in the Edwards Limestone, Travis County, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Agatized woodTX
E Of Austin
E of Austin is a documented mineral occurrence near TX. Reported specimens include Agatized wood, Petrified palm wood. Verify land access and collecting rules before visiting.
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Haynie Flat School, Texas ( Cow Creek Limestone)
Fossil collection site in the Cow Creek Limestone, Travis County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Northwest Travis County, Texas ( Cow Creek Limestone)
Fossil collection site in the Cow Creek Limestone, Travis County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Intersection Of Fm 620 With Kollmeyer Drive
Fossil collection site in the Glen Rose Limestone, Travis County, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Brushy Creek, Round Rock, Lower Buda Formation
Fossil collection site in the Buda Limestone, Williamson County, Texas. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Dry Creek
Fossil collection site in the Weches, Bastrop County, Texas. Environment: carbonate indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Acr
Fossil collection site in the Kemp Clay, Travis County, Texas. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Clay Pit, Type Locality Of The Littig Conglomerate
Fossil collection site in the Kincaid, Travis County, Texas. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Txbas-01
Fossil collection site in the Wills Point, Bastrop County, Texas. Environment: offshore indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Round Rock, 0.6 M Below Top Of Lower Member [buda Limestone]
Fossil collection site in the Buda Limestone, Williamson County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Solomon Farm
Fossil collection site in the Wills Point, Bastrop County, Texas. Environment: estuary/bay. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Txbas-02
Fossil collection site in the Wills Point, Bastrop County, Texas. Environment: shallow subtidal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Elgin, Bastrop County
Fossil collection site, Bastrop County, Texas. Environment: coastal indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Dripping Springs, Texas (glen Rose Limestone)
Fossil collection site in the Glen Rose Limestone, Hays County, Texas. Environment: open shallow subtidal. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Barton's Ranch
Fossil collection site, Bastrop Co. County, Texas. Environment: terrestrial indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Pedernales River, Texas ( Cow Creek Limestone)
Fossil collection site in the Cow Creek Limestone, Travis County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Travis Peak Post Office, Texas ( Cow Creek Limestone)
Fossil collection site in the Cow Creek Limestone, Travis County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Georgetown
Fossil collection site in the Walnut, Williamson County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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Usgs 15537
Fossil collection site in the Kemp Clay, Williamson County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
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1 Mi N Of Georgetown, Cliffs On Georgetown-belton Road
Fossil collection site in the Fort Worth Limestone, Williamson County, Texas. Environment: marine indet.. Source: Paleobiology Database (PBDB), CC BY 4.0.
View detailsTypes of rockhounding sites near Austin
Browse by specimen type in Texas — each link opens the full state directory for that category.
Fossils (23)
Trilobites, brachiopods, petrified wood, and other paleontological collecting on public land.
Other (1)
Mixed or specialty collecting — zeolites, fluorescent minerals, thundereggs, and unique regional finds.
Natural collecting sites in the Austin area
Austin is a practical launch point for day trips to natural rockhounding sites in Texas. Within about 100 miles you will find 24 mapped destinations in our directory, starting with Asteroidea, Ben White Roadcut, Del Rio Fm, Austin, Travis County about 0.4 mi from the city center.
The mix spans fossils, other — related terms searchers use include creek gravel collecting, desert washes, road cuts, and field collecting.
How distances work near Austin
Every card on this page is a verified directory entry in Texas with map coordinates. We measure straight-line distance from the Austin city center — not driving time. A creek rockhounding site 12 miles away on forest roads can take longer than a river access point 20 miles away on a highway.
Field collecting near Austin includes informal gravel bars, dry washes, quarry faces, and developed park collecting areas. Rules, fees, and seasonal access differ by land manager. Never assume collecting is allowed without checking the listing and posted signs the day you visit.
Safety and field conditions near you
Field conditions near Austin change after rain, snowmelt, and summer heat. Unstable slopes, heat exhaustion, loose rock, and flash floods are real risks at creek and quarry rockhounding sites — most sites have no supervision. Check weather and local advisories before you start digging.
We publish original planning copy, safety tips, and last-updated dates on each listing. See our editorial policy for sourcing standards, or contact us if access or conditions have changed.
Rockhounding sites near Austin — FAQ
Where can you collect near Austin?
Near Austin, Texas, our directory lists 24 natural rockhounding sites within about 100 miles — mainly 23 fossilss and 1 other. Each listing links to directions, fee notes, and safety context. Use near me on your phone for live distance sorting from your location.
How many rockhounding sites are near Austin, Texas?
This page shows 24 mapped rockhounding collecting sites within about 100 miles of Austin. The full Texas directory may list additional holes farther out or awaiting coordinates. Counts update as we verify new listings.
What is the closest rockhounding site to Austin?
The closest mapped spot to Austin is Asteroidea, Ben White Roadcut, Del Rio Fm, Austin, Travis County (0.4 mi straight-line). Open that listing for driving directions, access notes, and current fee information — unofficial holes can change without notice.
Are rockhounding sites near Austin free?
24 have variable or unverified fees. Open each spot page for current fee details.
What types of rockhounding sites are near Austin?
Near Austin, documented specimen types include fossilss, other. A rockhounding site is a natural outcrop, wash, or creek gravel bar — not a fee dig or shop. Filter by type on the Texas state page or open each card for specimen and access details.
When is the best time to visit rockhounding sites near Austin?
Late spring through early fall is the usual field season near Austin, but snowmelt, drought, and weekend crowds change conditions week to week. Check each listing before you drive — storms can make washes and creek banks unsafe.
Is it safe to collect near Austin?
Field collecting near Austin carries real risks: unstable slopes, heat, loose rock, and no rangers at most unofficial sites. Check weather and posted warnings the day you visit. Read our rockhounding safety basics guide and each listing's safety section before you dig.
Listing data last updated across spots on this page.