Where to Find Fossils in Nebraska: 41 Mapped Sites
Nebraska has 41 documented sites where fossils have been reported, and the best-known are Agate Fossil Beds, Dawes County, and Sioux County. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 9 of the 41 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Fossils Map: Nebraska
All 41 fossils sites in Nebraska. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fossils Are Found in Nebraska
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 Nebraska: Agate Fossil Beds, Dawes County, Sioux County, Whiteclay (Fairburn area), Pine Ridge.
Of the 41 sites, 9 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Fossils Sites in Nebraska
- Agate Fossil Beds — Public Access
- Dawes County — Public Access
- Sioux County — Public Access
- Whiteclay (Fairburn area) — Public Access
- Pine Ridge — Public Access
- Montrose — Public Access
- Weeping Water — Public Access
- Scottsbluff Badlands — Public Access
- Above Lost Chance — Other
- Ash Grove Cement Company Quarry - South Bend Limestone — Other
- Bellevue, Atchison shale — Other
- Boxelder Canyon — Other
- Feltz Ranch — Other
- Heebner Shale Member, Plattsmouth, Cass County, NE (Schram, 1984, Location 1) — Other
- Highway 15, 1.6 km north of border (uppermost Graneros) — Other
- Hushpuckney Shale Member, La Platte, Sarpy County, NE (Schram, 1984, Location 4) — Other
- Hushpuckney Shale Mem, Ft. Calhoun, Washington County, NE (Schram, 1984, Loc. 5) — Other
- Leavenworth Cass NE Outcrop, Locality 24 — Other
- Leavenworth Cass NE Outcrop, Locality 24A — Other
- Leavenworth Cass NE Outcrop, Locality 25 — Other
- Little Badlands — Public Access
- Lizard Quarry — Other
- Locality 1, Offutt Air Base #247 core, sample 23 — Other
- Mayer Farm — Other
- Nebraska City Section, Clay Pits southeast of Nebraska City — Other
- North Prong Quarry — Other
- Quinn Canyon — Other
- Raney Farm — Other
- Rick Irwin Site — Other
- Santee — Other
- South side of Missouri River floodplain, near Obert — Other
- Stark Shale Member, Papillion, Sarpy County, NE (Schram, 1984, Location 2) — Other
- Stark Shale Member, Richfield, Sarpy County, NE (Schram, 1984, Location 3) — Other
- Table Rock, Atchison shale — Other
- USGS Loc. 14929, Nebraska City LS member, Wood Siding formation — Other
- USGS Loc. 14937, Hamlin Shale member, Janesville Shale Formation — Other
- USGS Loc. D221, S bank of White River [Pierre Shale] — Other
- Wagner Quarry — Other
- Waneta site — Other
- Weeping Water — Other
- Williams site — 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 Nebraska?
Nebraska has 41 mapped sites where fossils have been reported. The best-known are Agate Fossil Beds, Dawes County, and Sioux County. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fossils sites are mapped in Nebraska?
We have 41 documented fossils sites in Nebraska, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fossils in Nebraska?
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 Nebraska
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.