Where to Find Fossils in North Dakota: 48 Mapped Sites
North Dakota has 48 documented sites where fossils have been reported, and the best-known are Souris River, Tappen, and Sheyenne River. Every site is mapped below with GPS coordinates and links to a full report of access and what's been found there. 4 of the 48 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Fossils Map: North Dakota
All 48 fossils sites in North Dakota. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fossils Are Found in North Dakota
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 North Dakota: Souris River, Tappen, Sheyenne River, Tongue River, 13275'-287', Amerada Petrol. Corp, Herman May, Fryburg Area.
Of the 48 sites, 4 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Fossils Sites in North Dakota
- Souris River — Public Access
- Tappen — Public Access
- Sheyenne River — Public Access
- Tongue River — Public Access
- 13275'-287', Amerada Petrol. Corp, Herman May, Fryburg Area — Other
- Almont — Other
- ARCO Wunderlich #1 - North Dakota Geo Survey Well #8803 — Other
- Brisbane — Other
- KJ8404 — Other
- KJ86103 — Other
- KJ86108 — Other
- KJ86110 — Other
- KJ86119 — Other
- KJ86158 — Other
- KJ86163 — Other
- KJ87103 — Other
- KJ87109 — Other
- KJ87110 — Other
- KJ87133 — Other
- KJ87151 — Other
- KJ87152 — Other
- KJ88107 — Other
- KJ88114 — Other
- KJ88124 — Other
- NDGS96-23.1 — Other
- NDGS L301 — Other
- PTRM V92002 — Other
- Tanis — Other
- Unnumbered MRF locality 6.7 km NW of Turtle Graveyard locality — Other
- USGS locality 2422, 2 miles east of Gladstone, ND, upper Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 2424, near Medora, ND half mile from Little Misouri, Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 4256, northwest of Coleharbor, ND, upper Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 4334, Sentinel Butte, ND, lower Fort Union Fm Sentinel Butte Mb — Other
- USGS locality 5437, North River Bank at McCord Coal Bank, ND, Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 6215, along Little Missouri River south of Yule, Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 6219, west of Little Missouri River, Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 6225, 8 miles south of Dakota Natural Forest, Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 6376, 10 miles south of Bentley, Hettinger Project, Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 6377, about 1 mile south of Kayser, Hettinger Project, Fort Union — Other
- USGS locality 6382, about 3 miles east of Scranton, Marmarth Project, Fort Union — Other
- USGS locality 6525, South bank of Heart River 1/2 mile south of Mandan — Other
- USGS locality 6892, Oliver County Lignite field, Fort Union Fm? — Other
- USGS locality 8202, on road towards Hoflund along Missouri River, Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 8212, About 4 miles north of mouth of Rising Water Creek — Other
- USGS locality 8222, At first of Blue Buttes, south of Keene, Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 8224, Brittian Coal mine, 6 miles southeast of Mott, Fort Union Fm — Other
- USGS locality 8230, North of road; +/- 5 miles west of Grassy Butte, Fort Union — Other
- USGS locality 9202, 3 miles east of Fort Stevenson, Fort Union Fm — 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 North Dakota?
North Dakota has 48 mapped sites where fossils have been reported. The best-known are Souris River, Tappen, and Sheyenne River. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fossils sites are mapped in North Dakota?
We have 48 documented fossils sites in North Dakota, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fossils in North Dakota?
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 North Dakota
Fossils in Nearby States
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.