ROCK, MINERAL, AND FOSSIL SITES IN THE US
Even though this page is designed for NY earth science teachers, most
of us travel around the United States in search of good geologic sites.
What follows is a list of places I have visited in the US that are outstanding
sites.
SITE 1 ANTELOPE SPRINGS UTAH submitted by Chris Visco
If you like trilobites, then this is the place for you. Located in the
desert, west of Delta, this Cambrian outcrop is loaded with fossils. The
collecting site is run by U-Dig Fossils. It will cost you around $20 for
4-5 hours of digging, and you should be able to find at least 100 trilobites.
Some of the ones I found were around three inches long. The only problem
is you have to drive over unpaved roads in 90+ temperatures in the middle
of nowhere. The phone number is 801-864-4294. Ask for Shane and tell him
I sent you.
SITE 2 FLORRISSANT COLORADO submitted by Chris Visco
As you travel from Colorado Springs toward Florrissant National Monument,
you will make a left hand turn off route 1. Right at the intersection,
on your right side will be an outcrop that is owned by the small rock shop
in the area. For $10 you get to split pieces of the shale in the search
for fossils. In one hours time I was able to find seed, leaf, twig, ant,
and bee fossils. The preservation is incredible.
SITE 3 GORHAM, NEW HAMPSHIRE submitted by Chris Visco
This site is a geologists dream. Imagine hiking for 45 minutes in the middle
of nowhere. You reach a secluded pond located at the bottom of a talus
slope, coming from old, abandoned lead mines. In the talus you find at
least 20 different minerals. You can hammer to your hearts content and
no one will bother you. The site is reached by taking a trail which starts
at the old train trestle (green, you cant miss it) that crosses the main
highway just north of Gorham. Hike under the bridge on the lower level
across the river. Once over the river, turn right on a dirt road. As you
approach a hydroelectric plant, walk between the plant (on your right)
and the reservoir (on your left) The trail then heads to your left for
a short while, and then branches off to the right (There are signs and
arrows) You will go uphill, crossing under some high tension wires. The
trail splits, just follow the sign to the pond.
SITE 4 CRYSTAL PARK, MONTANA submitted by Chris Visco
This area is located in the Pioneer Mountains of southwestern Montana.
The US Forest Service and the Butte Mineral and Gem Club maintain mining
claims at Crystal Park, which is open to the public, free of charge, for
digging quartz crystals. You'll need a shovel and a 1/4 inch mesh sieve.
You can find clear, milky, gray, purple and smoky crystals, as well as
twinned crystals. Call 406-683-3900 for a free brochure
SITE 5 KEMMERER , WYOMING submitted by Chris Visco
Approximtely 7 miles south of Kemmerer, Wyoming, off HWY 189. The Warfield
Springs Quarry is located in the Green River Formation and is the finest
place to look for Eocene fish fossils. You've all seen the fossils from
this locality, but you cant imagine how easy it is to dig for them. It
will cost you $35 to dig for the day, and you can expect to find at least
two dozen fish. Its hot and dusty and dry, in the middle of nowhere. It
truly is a geologists dream. The guy running the place will even trim your
shale samples with a saw for free !! Call 307-883-2445 for a free brochure
Fossil
Safari
SITE 6 SAYREVILLE NEW JERSEY submitted by Chris Visco
KENNEDY PARK, Middlesex County, NJ: This city park in Sayreville, NJ(near
Sayreville High School) is partially surrounded by bluffs left behindby
fire-clay mining operations. These bluffs, as well as many otherexposures
in the Sayreville area, provide exceptional exposures of theRaritan/Magothy
formations of late Cretaceous age which contain lignite,rare non-marine
fossils and amber.
SITE 7 CALVERT, CLIFFS MARYLAND
Click here
for details
SITE 8 MOAT MOUNTAIN SMOKEY QUARTZ AREA , New Hampshire
submitted by Chris Visco
From Conway, New Hampshire...travel north on route 16 to the first set
of traffic lights. Take a left to West Side Road. Follow west side road
for .7 miles, and turn left on Passaconoaway Road. Proceed 1.2 miles to
High Street which is an unmarked dirt road bearing right. ( you will see
a little mineral collecting sign) Drive High street for 1.9 miles, following
the two mineral collecting signs. There will be parking lot at the end
of the road. Hike 3./4 miles to the Moat Mtn Site
SITE 9 REDGORGE GEOLOGICAL AREA, KENTUCKY submitted by Chris Visco
This area is believed to contain the greatest concentration of natural
arches east of the Rocky Mountains. Call 606-663-2852 for a free brochure.
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