Where to Find Fossils in West Virginia: 20 Mapped Sites
West Virginia has 20 documented sites where fossils have been reported, and the best-known are Smoke Hole, Williamsburg, and Cabble Cave. 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 20 sites are on public-access land.
Last updated: — data compiled by the Rockhounding.org Research Team · methodology
Fossils Map: West Virginia
All 20 fossils sites in West Virginia. Click a pin for the full site report.
Where Fossils Are Found in West Virginia
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 West Virginia: Smoke Hole, Williamsburg, Cabble Cave, Camp Creek, Cass Cave.
Of the 20 sites, 2 are public access. Check each site report for current land status before you go.
All Fossils Sites in West Virginia
- Smoke Hole — Public Access
- Williamsburg — Public Access
- Cabble Cave — Other
- Camp Creek — Other
- Cass Cave — Other
- Eurypterid-associated biota of the Wills Creek Fm., Bass, W. Virginia. — Other
- Hamilton Cave — Other
- Kanawha County — Other
- New Trout Cave — Other
- Poorfarm Cave — Other
- Pr-1. the abandoned quarry on the east side of U.S. 92, 1.1 km northeast of Dent — Other
- Rapp's Cave — Other
- Sphaerocystites-Pseudocrinites Assoc., Middle Keyser Limestone — Other
- the north side of U.S. Route 460, Oakvale 71/2′ quad., UTM 17507778E, 4133 — Other
- Unit 18, Middle Tonoloway Limestone, Mill Gap Run Section — Other
- Unit 1, Tonoloway Limestone, Cove Hill School Section — Other
- Unit 2, Wills Creek Limestone, Grasshopper Run Section — Other
- Unit 6, Tonoloway Limestone, Hanging Rock Section — Other
- Western Maryland RR cut on south end of Collier Mt., 100 yds north of Potomac River, ½ west of Pattersons Creek — Other
- Windy Mouth Cave — 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia has 20 mapped sites where fossils have been reported. The best-known are Smoke Hole, Williamsburg, and Cabble Cave. Each listing on the map above includes GPS coordinates, access type, and what has been found there.
How many fossils sites are mapped in West Virginia?
We have 20 documented fossils sites in West Virginia, compiled from community submissions and published locality records and reviewed by the Rockhounding.org Research Team.
Is it legal to collect fossils in West Virginia?
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 West Virginia
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.