Discover the Fossilized Treasures of North America
If you’re fascinated by fossils, then a road trip across North America is just what you need. From the west to the east coast, there are countless destinations that offer an escape from modernity and a glimpse into the ancient world. With over 320 dinosaur species found in the United States alone, according to the National Parks Service, there’s no shortage of fossilized treasures to explore.
1. West Gold Hill Dinosaur Tracksite, Colorado
Just acquired by the U.S. Forest Service in April 2024, this site boasts the largest continuous dinosaur trackway in the world, featuring 134 prints covering over 300 feet. The tracks were made by an individual sauropod over 150 million years ago, and are a must-see for any fossil enthusiast.
2. Dinosaur State Park, Connecticut
Housing over 2,600 dinosaur footprints, this park is an exception to the rule that the northeast is not particularly renowned for its fossil beds. With 1/3 of the tracks exposed and 2/3 reburied, there’s plenty to explore both above and below ground.
3. The Badlands, South Dakota
For well over a century, paleontologists have been discovering fossilized remains in the Badlands. Members of the Oglala Lakota had been finding fossils long before that, according to the National Parks Service. The park has yielded thousands of fossil specimens from millions of years of Earth’s history, including large mammalian brontotheres and reptilian mosasaurs.
4. Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Known for its Triassic fossils, this park features petrified trees and fossilized plants and animals, as well as living desert denizens. The world as it existed over 200 million years ago has been frozen in time, offering a unique glimpse into the past.
5. Rancho La Brea Tar Pits, California
Located in the middle of Los Angeles, this site has yielded millions of Pleistocene fossils, including massive mammoths and the little legs of Ice Age woodpeckers. The asphalt deposits at the Tar Pits ensnared many animals over thousands of years, providing a terrific repository of ancient life for scientists to study.
6. The Mammoth Site, South Dakota
Born in the mid-1970s after construction-related excavations uncovered mammoth skeletons, this site features overwhelmingly male mammoth remains that died in an ancient sinkhole. The site has yielded 60 Columbian mammoths and three woolly mammoths, offering a unique look into the lives of these prehistoric creatures.
7. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado
Featuring fossilized redwoods and thousands of insect and plant fossils, this monument is a must-visit for any fossil enthusiast. The visitor center and on-site yurt serve as a fossil lab, offering a unique opportunity to learn about the little organisms that matter.
8. Dinosaur Valley, Texas
Once an ancient ocean, the area near Dallas and Fort Worth was home to dinosaurs that walked along its beaches. Now, the Paluxy River plays host to their fossilized footprints, offering a glimpse into a more ancient Earth.
9. The Green River Formation, Wyoming
Dubbed the “Aquarium in Stone” by the National Parks Service, this site now lies high and dry in Wyoming. Featuring over 2,000 fossils from the monument’s Green River Formation, there’s no shortage of fossilized aquatic life to explore.
1. The John Day Fossil Bed, Ohio
Discovered in the 1850s, this site features over 12,000 bones from at least 70 different ancient animals. With a quarry open for exploration, there’s no better place to get up close and personal with the fossilized remains of these prehistoric creatures.
From coast to coast, North America is home to an incredible array of fossilized treasures. Whether you’re a seasoned paleontologist or just starting your journey into the ancient world, there’s something for everyone on this list. So pack your bags, fuel up your car, and hit the road for an unforgettable adventure through the fossilized history of our planet.