Fossil Hunting near Sheridan, WY
6 of the mapped rockhounding spots within 150 miles of Sheridan report fossil. The closest is Greybull, about 43 miles out (54 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.
Every fossil spot within 150 miles of Sheridan
GreybullBig Horn County, Wyoming · 43 mi awayPublic access · Gastrolith, Petrified Dinosaur Bone, Fossil
HyattvilleBig Horn County, Wyoming · 47 mi awayPublic access · Gypsum, Dinosaur Bone, Gastrolith +1
LovellBig Horn County, Wyoming · 53 mi awayPublic access · Fossil, Ammonite, Dinosaur Bone +1
Big Horn CanyonBig Horn County, Montana · 61 mi awayPermission required · Agate, Chalcedony, Jasper +2
LovellBig Horn County, Wyoming · 61 mi awayPublic access · Gypsum, Fossil
Best spotPryor MountainsBig Horn County, Montana · 71 mi awayPermission required · Fossil, Agate, Chalcedony +2
Types of fossils reported near Sheridan
Counts reflect how many spots in this radius mention each variety.
- Fossil6
- Dinosaur Bone2
- Ammonite1
- Petrified Dinosaur Bone1
Fossils near Sheridan FAQ
Where can I find fossils near Sheridan?+
6 mapped spots within about 150 miles of Sheridan report fossil. The closest is Greybull in Big Horn County, roughly 43 miles away (54 min drive). The full list with coordinates is on this page.
Can I collect fossils on public land near Sheridan?+
4 of the 6 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 Sheridan do I need to drive?+
The nearest fossil spot is about 43 miles out, and the farthest on this list is 71 miles. Most fall inside a normal weekend day-trip radius.
