Where to Find Fossils in Alberta: 8 Mapped Sites
Alberta has 8 documented sites where fossils have been reported, and the best-known are Aurora, Big Indian Cliffs, and Kormos. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Fossils Map: Alberta
All 8 fossils sites in Alberta. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fossils Are Found in Alberta
Fossils live in sedimentary rock — limestone, shale, and sandstone. Fresh exposures are everything: roadcuts, creek banks after storms, quarry spoil, and eroding badlands beat weathered outcrop every time.
The richest reported sites in Alberta: Aurora, Big Indian Cliffs, Kormos, Oxbow, Power Pole.
All Fossils Sites in Alberta
- Aurora — Other
- Big Indian Cliffs — Other
- Kormos — Other
- Oxbow — Other
- Power Pole — Other
- Red Dragon — Other
- Salberg — Other
- Zone 4 — Other
How to Identify Fossils
Look for biological structure the rock around it lacks: shell curves and growth lines, the spongy honeycomb interior of bone, leaf veins, ribbed corals, or the segmented symmetry of a trilobite. Fossils usually contrast with their matrix in color or density. Bone that has mineralized feels heavier than fresh bone and often shows a polished brown-black surface.
Not sure what you found? Try our identification guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find fossils in Alberta?
Alberta has 8 mapped sites where fossils have been reported. The best-known are Aurora, Big Indian Cliffs, and Kormos. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fossils sites are mapped in Alberta?
We have 8 documented fossils sites in Alberta, compiled from provincial geological survey records and community submissions, reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fossils in Alberta?
Collecting is generally allowed on Crown land in Alberta. Hand panning is fine, sluicing requires a permit, and fossils are provincial property — surface collecting only, no digging or selling. Always verify land status before you dig.
How do I identify fossil?
Look for biological structure the rock around it lacks: shell curves and growth lines, the spongy honeycomb interior of bone, leaf veins, ribbed corals, or the segmented symmetry of a trilobite. Fossils usually contrast with their matrix in color or density. Bone that has mineralized feels heavier than fresh bone and often shows a polished brown-black surface.
⚠️ Always verify current regulations, weather conditions, and access requirements before visiting any location. Information provided is based on community submissions and may not be current or accurate.
More to Find in Alberta
Data: Alberta Geological Survey — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.