Where to Find Fossils in Kentucky: 55 Mapped Sites
Kentucky has 55 documented sites where fossils have been reported, and the best-known are Louisville (oolites area), 02-GS-A, and 02-LR-A. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 2 of the 55 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Fossils Map: Kentucky
All 55 fossils sites in Kentucky. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fossils Are Found in Kentucky
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 Kentucky: Louisville (oolites area), 02-GS-A, 02-LR-A, 02-PV-A, 03-FCL-A.
Of the 55 sites, 2 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Fossils Sites in Kentucky
- Louisville (oolites area) — Public Access
- 02-GS-A — Other
- 02-LR-A — Other
- 02-PV-A — Other
- 03-FCL-A — Other
- 04-AA64-A — Other
- 04-AA67-A — Other
- 04-FLE-A1.4 — Other
- Bighill Locality — Other
- Blue Licks 2 — Other
- Boston — Other
- Boston, Locality 5, Read 1939 — Other
- Brooksville 1 — Other
- Bugwood Narrows, southeast of State Resort Park, main bend of Lake Cumberland — Other
- C2 - Maysville — Other
- C3 - Sunset — Other
- C4 - Newcastle — Other
- C4 - SW of Stanford — Other
- Drowning Creek Area — Other
- Exposure in Quarry — Other
- Highland Pike — Other
- Holst Creek 2 — Other
- Irving, Locality 11, Read 1939 — Other
- KY Route 206 Roadcut — Other
- L&N RR Cut (1) — Other
- Locality 15. North-south tributary to Deer Creek 3¼ miles south of Lola — Other
- Louisville — Other
- Morehead I64 Roadcut — Other
- Owen’s Branch Buildup, eastern side of the Indian Creek, Lake Cumberland — Other
- Road-cut along Kentucky Route 1159 just south of the Alexandria to Ashland Hwy — Other
- Rowan County — Public Access
- Sadieville — Other
- southern side of Cave Springs ridge, SE of Wolf Creek Mouth, Lake Cumberland — Other
- USGS 4072-CO: 0.75 miles east of Milner KY, then 1 miles southwest on Shryock Ferry Rd — Other
- USGS 4073-CO: 0.75 miles east of Milner, then 1 miles southwest on Shryock Ferry — Other
- USGS 4874-CO: between Trinity and Antioch Churches; 1 mile southwest of north end of Kentucky Rte 595 on Kentucky River — Other
- USGS 4928-CO. Rd exposure 0.5 miles east & 1.6 miles south of northwest corner of Salvisa Quadrangle — Other
- USGS 4940-CO. Road expsure on w. side of Kentucky River, at bridge crossing of Central Kentucky Parkway on n. side of parkway, near Salvisa — Other
- USGS 4956-CO. Road exposure on w. side of Kentucky River, at bridge crossing of Central Kentucky Parkway on n. side of parkway, near Salvisa — Other
- USGS 5015-CO. Mitchellsburg Rd east side of Chaplin River, south of Perryville — Other
- USGS 5072-CO; Old Crow Distillery, Frankfort East B section — Other
- USGS 5073-CO; Old Crow Distillery, Frankfort East B section — Other
- USGS 5078-CO. Exposures along road up from Kentucky River lock #7 to High Bridge — Other
- USGS 5080-CO. Railroad tracks west of Herrington Lake spillway — Other
- USGS 5087-CO. East of junction of U.S. Routes 60 and 421 — Other
- USGS 5092-CO, Tyrone C section (10-12 ft above base of Logana Mbr.) — Other
- USGS 5095-CO. east of I-64 bridge over Kentucky River — Other
- USGS 6034-CO, Sulphur Well(s), New Watts Mill Rd., Little Hickman A section — Other
- USGS 6136-CO. Route 52 east of Balls Branch Run crossing — Other
- USGS 7784-CO. Southeast of Route 27 crossing of Kentucky River — 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky has 55 mapped sites where fossils have been reported. The best-known are Louisville (oolites area), 02-GS-A, and 02-LR-A. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fossils sites are mapped in Kentucky?
We have 55 documented fossils sites in Kentucky, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fossils in Kentucky?
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 Kentucky
Data: Paleobiology Database, community submissions — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.