Fossils near Dayton, OH
10 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Dayton report fossil. The closest is Weisburg, about 59 miles out (1 hr 14 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 10 fossil collecting spots within 150 miles of Dayton, Ohio
Closest fossils spots to Dayton
- WeisburgDearborn County, Indiana59 mi · 1 hr 14 min driveTrilobites
- Maumee RiverAllen County, Indiana103 mi · 2 hr 9 min driveAgate, Jasper, Fossilized Coral
- Maple Grove QuarrySeneca County, Ohio114 mi · 2 hr 22 min driveCalcite, Celestite, Dolomite
- Rowan CountyRowan County, Kentucky117 mi · 2 hr 26 min driveFossils
- Louisville (oolites area)Jefferson County, Kentucky125 mi · 2 hr 36 min driveSilicified Fossils, Oolite
- GenoaOttawa County, Ohio129 mi · 2 hr 41 min driveCalcite, Celestite, Dolomite
Types of fossils reported near Dayton
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Fossils6
- Fossilized Coral1
- Fossilized Quarry1
- Silicified Fossils1
- Trilobites1
Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Dayton
Sorted by distance from Dayton. Tap a row for directions, access status, and nearby trips.
| Spot | County | Minerals | Coordinates | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WeisburgWeisburg Road | Dearborn County |
| 39.2222, -85.0484 | Public |
| Maumee RiverNiagara Drive | Allen County |
| 41.0819, -85.1127 | Public |
| Maple Grove QuarryCr42 | Seneca County | 41.2256, -83.2137 | Public | |
| Rowan CountyChristy Creek Road | Rowan County | 38.1885, -83.3711 | Public | |
| Louisville (oolites area)Gene Snyder Freeway | Jefferson County |
| 38.2611, -85.5030 | Public |
| GenoaMain Street | Ottawa County | 41.5080, -83.3544 | Public | |
| Clay Center limestone quarryNorth Bolander Road | Ottawa County | 41.5744, -83.3635 | Public | |
| Medusa Quarry in SylvaniaBrint Road | Lucas County | 41.7005, -83.7474 | Public | |
| Louisville (quarry area)Chickasaw Park Road | Jefferson County |
| 38.2405, -85.8348 | Public |
| SanduskyEast Strub Road | Erie County | 41.4170, -82.6803 | Public |
Fossils near Dayton FAQ
Where can I find fossils near Dayton?+
10 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Dayton report fossil. The closest is Weisburg in Dearborn County County, roughly 59 miles away (1 hr 14 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Dayton?+
10 of the 10 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 Dayton do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 59 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 139 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
Keep exploring from Dayton
Fossils near other cities
Hunt fossils around Dayton 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.
