Where to Find Fossils in Arkansas: 55 Mapped Sites
Arkansas has 55 documented sites where fossils have been reported, and the best-known are A-10, A-11, and A-12. 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: Arkansas
All 55 fossils sites in Arkansas. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fossils Are Found in Arkansas
All Fossils Sites in Arkansas
- A-10 — Other
- A-11 — Other
- A-12 — Other
- A-6 — Other
- A-7 — Other
- A-8 — Other
- ARC-02, south of Leslie — Other
- ARC-07, Trace Creek — Other
- Arnett — Other
- Articulate Brachiopods, St. Clair Limestone, Searcy County, Arkansas — Other
- Copperas Creek — Other
- Hearn — Other
- High Bluff — Other
- Honey Hole Quarry — Other
- Jasper pinnid — Other
- Johnson's well, top of Capitol Hill, corner of Battery and 9th streets — Other
- Kessler Limestone member, Bloyd Shale at "Low gap"; USGS 8177 — Other
- Kessler Limestone member, Bloyd Shale at Mill Creek; USGS 2857 — Other
- Kessler Limestone member, Bloyd Shale at Morrow; USGS 3660 — Other
- Loc. 1. USGS 14369. Road cut on se side US 65, 0.8 km sw of Peyton Creek Bridge — Other
- Loc. 2. Road cut on the southern side of AR-Highway 66, ~1 km northeast of — Other
- Loc. 2. USGS 16058. Dirt road on e. side of Little Red River, 0.48 km se US 65 — Other
- Loc. 3. USGS 15301. Bear Creek at Sulphur Springs Hollow, AR SH-27 — Other
- Loc. 4. USGS 15298. 61m up gully east of Falling Water Creek, 17.9 km s. Eula — Other
- Loc. 5. USGS 17692. low water concrete bridge across Big Piney Creek — Other
- Loc. 6. USGS 19959. Slump 457m down s. bank of Middle Fork of Little Fork River — Other
- Loc. 7. M-17. Creed bed & banks of Middle Fork of Little Red River — Other
- Loc. 8. M-18. Road cut on Arkansas Hwy 27, ~16.1 km sw of Marshall — Other
- Loc. 8. USGS 28561. Waterfall in tributary creek into Falling Water Creek — Other
- Lockesburg (UAM) — Other
- M 29 — Other
- M 316 — Other
- M 686 — Other
- PRI 894 — Other
- PRI 896 — Other
- PRI 897 — Other
- Red Bluff — Other
- USGS 1292, Van Buren — Other
- USGS 13970, Jasper — Other
- USGS 15084, Session Creek — Other
- USGS 15087, Boles — Other
- USGS 16276, Highway 71 — Other
- USGS 2000, Gore — Other
- USNM 1339A. Sam Eidson's Stillhouse, 9 miles north east of Fayetteville — Other
- USNM 1339E. Faulted area, south of fault, short distance down slope from remains of Sam Horn's still house, 5½ miles north east of Fayetteville — Other
- USNM 2839. Small knob near center of sec. 23 T. 21 N., R. 29 W. — Other
- USNM 2840. Along ravine between secs. 27 & 22 T. 21 N., R. 29 W. — Other
- USNM 3652. South side of hill, Near Elkins, close to Fayetteville — Other
- USNM 5551. Cut on St. Louis-San Francisco Railroad just west of Fayetteville City Park, just north of Fayetteville — Other
- USNM 5553A. ½ mile east of fork in the road, on line between secs. 4 & 5, 3 miles easy of Springdale, south side of Webber Mountain — Other
Showing 50 of 55 sites — every site appears on the map above.
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 Arkansas?
Arkansas has 55 mapped sites where fossils have been reported. The best-known are A-10, A-11, and A-12. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fossils sites are mapped in Arkansas?
We have 55 documented fossils sites in Arkansas, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fossils in Arkansas?
Casual collecting is generally allowed on BLM and National Forest land for personal, non-commercial use — the standard BLM limit is 25 lbs per day plus one specimen. National parks, monuments, and many state parks prohibit collecting, and private land always requires the owner's permission. Check the site report for each location and verify current 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.
What should I bring to collect fossils?
The basics: a rock hammer, safety glasses, gloves, a bucket or padded bag for specimens, and a GPS app with the coordinates from this page. Add a spray bottle — wetting a stone makes color and banding far easier to judge in the field.
⚠️ 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 Arkansas
Data: Paleobiology Database — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.