Where to Find Fossils in Oklahoma: 71 Mapped Sites
Oklahoma has 71 documented sites where fossils have been reported, and the best-known are 459-z at Chapman's Ranch in Arbuckle Mts on Highway 77, 77-218. Roadcut along east side of U.S. Highway 77, about 17 km south of Davis, and Along Interstate Highway 35, approximately 18 km (11 miles) north of Ardmore. 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: Oklahoma
All 71 fossils sites in Oklahoma. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fossils Are Found in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma: 459-z at Chapman's Ranch in Arbuckle Mts on Highway 77, 77-218. Roadcut along east side of U.S. Highway 77, about 17 km south of Davis, Along Interstate Highway 35, approximately 18 km (11 miles) north of Ardmore, Articulate Brachiopods, Eospirifer Beds, Fitzhugh Mbr., Clarita Fm., Oklahoma, Brick plant Quarry, southwest edge of the Ada. NE1/4 SE1/4 sec. 4 T3N, R6E.
All Fossils Sites in Oklahoma
- 459-z at Chapman's Ranch in Arbuckle Mts on Highway 77 — Other
- 77-218. Roadcut along east side of U.S. Highway 77, about 17 km south of Davis — Other
- Along Interstate Highway 35, approximately 18 km (11 miles) north of Ardmore — Other
- Articulate Brachiopods, Eospirifer Beds, Fitzhugh Mbr., Clarita Fm., Oklahoma — Other
- Brick plant Quarry, southwest edge of the Ada. NE1/4 SE1/4 sec. 4 T3N, R6E — Other
- Buckhorn Asphalt Quarry (cephalopod coquina, Carboniferous)) — Other
- Camp Creek — Other
- Carter County — Other
- CC 0341. Chandler Creek Section, Unit 04. Wichita Mountains — Other
- Deep Red Run — Other
- East-west trending gullies on the east side of an unnamed tributary of Sycamore Creek on the Daube Ranch — Other
- Elpidocrinus-Parapisocrinus tennesseensis Assoc., Henryhouse Fm., Cedar Hill — Other
- Flowerpot Fm. Blaine Beckham Greer Kiowa Major Woods Woodward Oklahoma — Other
- Highway 77, Arbuckle Mountains, lower mound interval — Other
- Hillside exposure and stream cut, about 2.5 km west of Nebo, OK — Other
- HMY 1. Exposed old excavation and pond NE of abandoned race track — Other
- I-35 — Other
- Kindblade Ranch, Wichita Mountains, lower mound interval — Other
- KR-66 — Other
- Lake Frederick site OMNH V247; above lower sandstone — Other
- Locality 05. 1/2 mile SSW of Cedar Hill & three miles SE of Lawrence Quarry — Other
- Locality 12. 1.8 miles W of Oklahoma Highway 99, 7-8 miles SSE of Ada — Other
- Locality 14. Rock Crossing of Hickory Creek in Criner Hills — Other
- Locality 27. Chimneyhill Creek and bluff to north, 7 miles south of Ada — Other
- Longhorn Mountain, Wichita Mountains, upper mound interval — Other
- Mapes OKM-21 — Other
- Mapes OKM-23 — Other
- Mapes OKM-47 — Other
- Midco Locality 1 — Other
- Midco Locality 12 — Other
- Midco Locality 15 — Other
- Midco Locality 4 — Other
- Midco Locality 5 — Other
- Midco Locality 8 — Other
- Mill Creek, Arbuckle Mountains, lower mound interval — Other
- N-1 — Other
- Noble — Other
- Norman — Other
- OF-15, 1000' above base of Kindblade formation, 1200-1300' west of US 77 — Other
- OMNH V1005 — Other
- OMNH V617 — Other
- OMNH V619 — Other
- OMNH V620 — Other
- Optima — Other
- P22. Lawrence quarry, Ideal Cement Company, northeast end of Arbuckle Mountain — Other
- Painter Ranch — Other
- Pisocrinus-Abyssocrinus antiquus Assoc., Henryhouse Fm., White Mound — Other
- Pulcherocrinus exotericus type locality, southeast of Fort Gibson — Other
- Rhome — Other
- Road cut on U. S. Highway 77, 2.5 miles north of Springer — Other
Showing 50 of 71 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 Oklahoma?
Oklahoma has 71 mapped sites where fossils have been reported. The best-known are 459-z at Chapman's Ranch in Arbuckle Mts on Highway 77, 77-218. Roadcut along east side of U.S. Highway 77, about 17 km south of Davis, and Along Interstate Highway 35, approximately 18 km (11 miles) north of Ardmore. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fossils sites are mapped in Oklahoma?
We have 71 documented fossils sites in Oklahoma, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fossils in Oklahoma?
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 Oklahoma
Data: Paleobiology Database — reviewed and approved by the Rockhounding.org Research Team. Always verify current land status, regulations, and access before visiting any site.