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Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake): Fossil Hunting in Wise County, Texas

Public accessBest spot4 mineralsWise County, TexasUpdated June 2026
Minerals reported
4
Elevation
940 ft
Best months
September to May

The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland exposes Cretaceous limestone full of fossil oysters along its ridges, plus agate, chert, and petrified wood in its sandy soils. The US Forest Service allows personal collection of common minerals, petrified wood, and invertebrate fossils here under a free use permit. Vertebrate fossils and artifacts are prohibited. Reported finds include fossilized oyster, agate, petrified wood, chert. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Plan your visit

Generally open to casual rockhounding

State
Texas
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Coordinates are approximate. Confirm the exact ground in the RockHoundR app, where land overlays show which agency manages the area.

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Access note: Black Creek Lake Recreation Area north of Decatur is a developed Forest Service site and a public anchor on the grassland. The grassland is a patchwork of Forest Service and private tracts, so confirm Forest Service ownership before collecting and carry a free use permit from the Caddo-LBJ District.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Best time to visit Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)

Comfortable months (45 to 90°F highs)

Best months: September to May. Typical highs run 95°F in midsummer and 56°F in midwinter, with winter lows near 30°F. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, ALVORD 3 N station (4 mi away).

Geology at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)

This spot sits on Antlers Sand, mapped as sandstone and claystone that formed roughly 145 to 100 million years ago. Sedimentary layers like these are where fossils are typically preserved, and fresh exposures after rain or in active cuts tend to produce best.

Mapped unit
Antlers Sand
Age
145–100 Ma (Early Cretaceous)
Rock types
sandstone and claystone
Elevation
940 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

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Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

State guidance last verified:

Found at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)

Each name opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake).

Across the state line from Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)

Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake) is close enough to the Texas border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

  • RandlettCotton County, Oklahoma · 69 mi awayMalachite

Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake) FAQ

Where is Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)?+
Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake) is in Wise County, Texas, at 33.34878, -97.65893.
What rocks and minerals can you find at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)?+
Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake) is reported to produce Fossilized Oyster, Agate, Petrified Wood, Chert.
Is collecting allowed at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)?+
Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.
What tools should I bring to Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)?+
A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.
When is the best time to visit Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)?+
The most comfortable months at Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake) are September to May. Summer heat here is intense, so carry more water than you think you need and work the early morning.
How do I get to Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Black Creek Lake)?+
Open the directions link to navigate to 33.34878, -97.65893 in Google Maps. Some spots are remote, so check road conditions before driving out.

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