Fossils near Ardmore, OK
5 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Ardmore report fossil. The closest is Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake), about 64 miles out (1 hr 20 min drive).
Fossil collecting spots cluster around exposed sedimentary rock: road cuts, creek banks, quarries, and badlands where erosion keeps bringing fresh material to the surface.
Map of 5 fossil collecting spots within 150 miles of Ardmore, Oklahoma
Closest fossils spots to Ardmore
- Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)Wise County, Texas64 mi · 1 hr 20 min driveFossilized Oyster, Agate, Petrified Wood
- General Area N.E. Lake BridgeportWise County, Texas75 mi · 1 hr 34 min driveFossil
- Ladonia Fossil ParkFannin County, Texas88 mi · 1 hr 50 min driveFossilized Shark Tooth, Ammonite, Mosasaur Tooth
- General AreaEllis County, Texas116 mi · 2 hr 25 min driveFossilized Shark Tooth
- S side of US 287Ellis County, Texas120 mi · 2 hr 30 min driveFossil Leaf Print
Types of fossils reported near Ardmore
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Fossilized Oyster2
- Fossilized Shark Tooth2
- Ammonite1
- Fossil1
- Fossil Leaf Print1
Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Ardmore
Sorted by distance from Ardmore. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake) | Wise County |
| 33.3488, -97.6589 | Public |
| General Area N.E. Lake Bridgeport | Wise County | 33.2619, -97.8508 | Public | |
| Ladonia Fossil Park | Fannin County |
| 33.4633, -95.8779 | Public |
| General AreaWest US Highway 287 | Ellis County | 32.4929, -97.0392 | Public | |
| S side of US 287US 287 | Ellis County | 32.4434, -96.9226 | Public |
Fossils near Ardmore FAQ
Where can I find fossils near Ardmore?+
5 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Ardmore report fossil. The closest is Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake) in Wise County, roughly 64 miles away (1 hr 20 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Ardmore?+
5 of the 5 spots here sit on land mapped as publicly accessible. Casual hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed on most BLM and Forest Service land with limits set by the local field office; national parks and most state parks are closed to collecting. Confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
Is it legal to keep fossils I find?+
On federal land, common invertebrate and plant fossils (shells, corals, trilobites, leaf prints) may be collected casually for personal use. Vertebrate fossils (bone, teeth, anything with a backbone) are protected on federal land and need a research permit. Private land follows the landowner's permission. When in doubt, photograph it, note the location, and ask the managing agency.
How far from Ardmore do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 64 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 120 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Ardmore
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Hunt fossils around Ardmore with the map in your pocket
RockHoundR shows these spots on an offline map with public land overlays, geology layers, weather, and a log for your finds.
