Each October, the National Park Service celebrates National Fossil Day—a time to honor the incredible paleontological treasures preserved in America’s public lands. This year, on October 15, grab your curiosity (and maybe a magnifying glass!) and set out to explore the ancient landscapes where dinosaurs once roamed, ancient seas lapped at forgotten shores, and towering trees fossilized into stone.
Whether you're a family looking for a hands-on learning adventure, a science enthusiast with a deep love of deep time, or just someone who loves hiking through natural wonder, fall is the perfect season to mix exploration with discovery in parks where the rocks whisper stories millions of years old.
🦕 Where Deep Time Comes to Life: Fossil-Focused Parks to Visit This Fall
Let’s journey to some of the best national parks and monuments where fossils steal the show—and where autumn adds crisp air, colorful scenery, and fewer crowds.
1. Dinosaur National Monument
Location: Colorado & Utah
Best for: Budding paleontologists, dino-lovers, and scenic river canyon fans.
Why visit?
This park is fossil country. The Quarry Exhibit Hall lets you see over 1,500 dinosaur bones still embedded in rock, preserved right where they were found. Touch a real Jurassic bone, imagine herds of sauropods thundering across floodplains, and hike into rugged canyons shaped by millennia.
Pro Tip:
Take the short Fossil Discovery Trail for a self-guided tour of fossil fragments and ancient rock layers. Autumn temperatures make hiking here especially enjoyable.
2. Badlands National Park
Location: South Dakota
Best for: Families with a taste for the wild and weird, geology geeks, and wildlife watchers.
Why visit?
Beneath its alien landscape, the Badlands hide a world of prehistoric mammals, like saber-toothed cats and three-toed horses. The park is one of the richest fossil beds from the Oligocene epoch, dating back 33 million years.
What to do:
Join a ranger program if available, or visit the Fossil Exhibit Trail, a boardwalk with interpretive signs and fossil replicas. It’s an easy, educational walk that kids and adults both love.
Bonus:
Fall brings golden light, cool air, and roaming bison and bighorn sheep—adding living history to your prehistoric visit.
3. Petrified Forest National Park
Location: Arizona
Best for: Road trippers, desert lovers, and seekers of otherworldly scenery.
Why visit?
Step into a kaleidoscope of color and time in this surreal landscape, where 225-million-year-old trees have turned to shimmering stone. The Painted Desert is at its most photogenic in fall’s softer light.
Don’t Miss:
- The Blue Mesa Trail, where badlands and petrified wood create an almost lunar scene.
- The Rainbow Forest Museum for a deeper dive into Triassic fossils.
Pro Tip:
Keep an eye out for fossilized reptiles and plants—this place holds secrets from the dawn of the dinosaurs.
Fossil Fun for Families & Lifelong Learners
- Junior Paleontologist Program: Many parks offer special booklets for kids (and the young-at-heart) to become official “Junior Paleontologists.”
- Hands-On Learning: Fossil labs and visitor centers often feature touch tables and interactive exhibits.
- Ask a Ranger: Fall is a great time to get more personal attention—rangers love sharing cool science facts when the crowds thin out!
🍁 Why Fall is the Best Time to Go Fossil Hunting
- Cooler weather = better hiking and more time on trails.
- Fewer crowds = more chances to connect with rangers and take your time at exhibits.
- Autumn colors = especially stunning in places like Badlands and the canyons around Dinosaur.
- NPS Special Events: Some parks host fossil-themed programs for National Fossil Day—check the park websites for October 15 events.
🔍 Before You Go: Tips for a Fossil-Friendly Visit
- Look, but don’t take: Fossils are protected by law—leave them where they are for others to learn from and enjoy.
- Pack layers: Fall weather can shift quickly in these parks.
- Bring binoculars: Not just for fossils—wildlife often steals the show in the fall months.
- Download the NPS App: Park maps, trail info, and fossil highlights at your fingertips.
🌍 Every Fossil Has a Story
National Fossil Day is more than just a celebration of ancient bones—it’s a reminder that our world is shaped by a long, intricate history, written in stone beneath our feet. Visiting these parks is like stepping into a time machine, where science and wonder collide in the most scenic classrooms on Earth.
So this October, grab your boots and your imagination, and go discover the ancient stories waiting just beneath your feet.
📅 Mark the Date: October 15 — National Fossil Day
Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/fossilday
Would you like help turning this into a downloadable trip planner or printable activity guide for kids? I’d be glad to help!
