In Which States Are Dinosaur Fossils Found?

Dinosaurs have been drawing the interest of kids and adults alike for ages. Fossilized remains of these creatures can be found across the globe, and numerous sites within the Unites States contain fossils. Some states with dinosaur fossils have more diversity and types of fossils than others, but you might be surprised to find how many different U.S. states contain fossils!

The states that produce the largest number of dinosaur fossils are Montana, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. For example, over 6,000 different fossils have been found at a single dig site in Emery County in Utah. Researchers believe the specimens at this site date back 100 million years. There are even some parks where you can still see and learn about fossils in person.

If your family is looking for a spot to find dinosaur bones for kids, several different states have dinosaur tourist attractions and places to search for fossils with the whole family. Locations like the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, Dinosaur National Monument and Mojave National Preserve all contain fantastic opportunities to see and learn about fossils.

This park, located in New Mexico, contains a fossilized reef that dates back to the Permian Age. The fossilized reef, known as "Captain Reef," dates back some 265 million years. In that period, the land was covered by a shallow, coastal sea. You can also spot fossilized snails, bivalves, crinoids, brachiopods and more throughout the area.

This national park also contains the remains of a 265-million-year-old fossil reef. Located in Texas, the reef originally spanned a distance of 400 miles. The shallow sea that once covered this area contained primarily algae and calcareous sponges rather than the reefs of coral that you see today.

Just because you don't live close to a "hot spot" for fossils doesn't mean you don't have fossil sites near you. Find all National Park Service states with dinosaur fossils or learning opportunities here:

•Alaska – 16 different locations including Denali National Preserve
•Alabama – 4 different locations including Russel Cave National Monument
•Arkansas – 3 different locations including Hot Springs National Park
•Arizona – 22 different locations including Saguaro National Park
•California – 17 different locations including Yosemite National Park
•Colorado – 12 different locations including Rocky Mountain National Park
•Connecticut – 1 location: Appalachian National Scenic Trail
•Florida – 10 different locations including Big Cypress National Preserve
•Georgia – 7 different locations including Congaree National Park
•Hawaii – 4 different locations including Pearl Harbor National Memorial
•Iowa – 3 different locations including Effigy Mounds National Monument
•Idaho – 7 different locations including Yellowstone National Park
•Illinois – 2 different locations including Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
•Indiana – 2 different locations including Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore
•Kansas – 6 different locations including Tallgrass Praire National Preserve
•Kentucky – 7 different locations including Mammoth Cave National Park
•Louisiana – 1 location: Vicksburg National Military Park
•Massachusetts – 4 different locations including Cape Cod National Seashore
•Maryland – 18 different locations including Assateague Island National Seashore
•Maine – 3 different locations including Acadia National Park
•Michigan – 3 different locations including Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
•Minnesota – 3 different locations including Voyageurs National Park
•Missouri – 9 different locations including Buffalo National River
•Mississippi – 5 different locations including Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
•Montana – 7 different locations including Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
•Nebraska – 7 different locations including Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
•Nevada – 4 different locations including Death Valley National Park
•New Hampshire – 1 location: Appalachian National Scenic Trail
•New Jersey – 5 different locations including New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve
•New Mexico – 13 different locations including Carlsbad Caverns National Park
•New York – 7 different locations including Saratoga National Historical Park
•North Carolina – 8 different locations including Moores Creek National Battlefield
•North Dakota – 4 different locations including Knife River Indian Village National Historic Site
•Ohio – 3 different locations including Cuyahoga Valley National Park
•Oklahoma – 3 different locations including Fort Smith National Historic Site
•Oregon – 8 different locations including Oregon Caves National Monument
•Pennsylvania – 10 different locations including Gettysburg National Military Park
•South Carolina – 2 different locations including Fort Sumter National Monument
•South Dakota – 5 different locations including Badlands National Park
•Tenessee – 10 different locations including Shiloh National Military Park
•Texas – 11 different locations including Waco Mammoth National Monument
•Utah – 13 different locations including Dinosaur National Monument
•Vermont – 2 different locations including Marsh Billings Rockefeller National Historical Park
•Virginia – 16 different locations including Shenandoah National Park
•Washington – 10 different locations including Mount Rainier National Park
•Wisconsin – 3 different locations including Ice Age National Scenic Trail
•West Virginia – 6 different locations including Bluestone National Scenic River
•Wyoming – 8 different locations including Fossil Butte National Monument