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You'll find lots of Trilobites (Pseudogygites Latimarginatus) and brachiopods (mucrospirifer) just about anywhere you look in southern Ontario. Keep an eye out for shale piles left by construction, or if you're driving around in rural areas look for road cuts through sedimentary layers, the layers are exposed at the side of the road and you can easily find exposed fossils there. You'll need tools and safety equipment: a standard builder's hard hat is the minimum that should be worn in areas that are liable to falling rocks, especially cliff faces and within quarries, a high visibility jacket will improve your chances in case of an accident. Pick up a geological hammer if you don't have one. It's got a square head on one side, and a chisel tip on the other side. Useful for splitting the layers. Also, safety glasses are essential. You don't want to get a rock splinter in your eye. There's a more comprehensive tool list here "Most of Ontario's fossil record is found in the Paleozoic rocks that cover much of southern Ontario and the James Bay Lowlands. These rocks were deposited during the Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian periods (450-350 million years ago) when Ontario was repeatedly covered by warm, shallow inland seas. The seas were fed by rivers draining from the bordering highlands of the Canadian Shield and acted as settling basins for thousands of meters of sand, mud, and clay. Eastern and northern boundaries of Paleozoic outcrop run roughly through the southern borders of Muskoka and Haliburton just east of Kingston (where Ordovician rocks lap onto Precambrian rocks). Ordovician rocks here abound with fossil snails, clams, squid-like nautiloids, trilobites, starfish, and sea lilies. Late Ordovician and Silurian rocks form the Niagara escarpment that runs from Manitoulin Island to the Niagara Peninsula and on into New York State. The escarpment was formed by rivers draining highlands to southeast. Fossils are scarce here. Silurian corals formed reefs that are now exposed as fossils on Manitoulin Island. Devonian rocks on shore of Lake Huron near Kettle Point contain abundant corals and trilobites, sea lilies and other marine invertebrates. Even the bony skin plates of early armored fish have occasionally been found. Unconsolidated deposits of Pleistocene Epoch are the next great chapter in Ontario's fossils. One of the most complete successions of interglacial sediment is exposed in Toronto Brick Pit. Fossils found here include wood, insects, freshwater clams and snails, antlers of deer, skulls of large bears, groundhogs, bison and giant beaver. Near Welland mastodons, wooly elephants, and pollen grains have been found." Ontario's Fossil Story By: Kristina Anderson, assistant curator Answer from 248_RPA on reddit.com
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University of Waterloo
uwaterloo.ca › earth-sciences-museum › educational-resources › fossils › paleozoic-fossils-ontario
Paleozoic fossils in Ontario | Earth Sciences Museum | University of Waterloo
November 6, 2024 - Click on the pamphlet below to download a free pdf of the fossil key to bring it with you on your hunt, and you can circle or check them off as you go! Found a fossil, tried your best to ID but still have no idea what you're looking at? Send us a photo via email or connect with us through social media ...
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Fossil Park
mineralwellsfossilpark.com
About Fossil Park
Mineral Wells Fossil Park provides the fossil enthusiast, paleontologist, and student an excellent opportunity to see and collect well preserved "Pennsylvanian Period" fossils with ease and abundance.
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Alberta Parks
albertaparks.ca › parks › south › dinosaur-pp › activities-events › dinosaur-tours-events › events › fossil-safari
Fossil Safari - Dinosaur Provincial Park | Alberta Parks
Get ready for a thrilling safari adventure through the badlands! Hop aboard one of our park buses and head to a real fossil site. With the help of your guide, use your eagle eyes to spot dinosaur bones and other amazing fossils hidden among the hoodoos.
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Cottage Life
cottagelife.com › home › latest › 4 places in ontario for top notch fossil hunting
4 places in Ontario for top notch fossil hunting - Cottage Life
April 24, 2024 - I grew up in Craigleith, northwest of Collingwood on Georgian Bay, where the shoreline is covered with pieces of trilobites, and it was there that the fossil bug bit me. It can bite you too, or at least offer an interesting day trip. Here are four of the best— and safest—fossil hunting grounds in Ontario.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/askto › tips for beginner fossil hunting in toronto and area?
r/askTO on Reddit: Tips for beginner fossil hunting in Toronto and area?
July 5, 2017 -

Someone experienced was supposed to take me fossil hunting but that fell through.

They said it's not too hard to find stuff.

I'm looking for locations and tips.

Top answer
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Easiest is to find some shale by the lake and start breaking pieces open. You can find small plants and trilobite looking things. I've had decent luck on the rocky beaches in Whitby, with a 5% hit rate or so, maybe a little lower.
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You'll find lots of Trilobites (Pseudogygites Latimarginatus) and brachiopods (mucrospirifer) just about anywhere you look in southern Ontario. Keep an eye out for shale piles left by construction, or if you're driving around in rural areas look for road cuts through sedimentary layers, the layers are exposed at the side of the road and you can easily find exposed fossils there. You'll need tools and safety equipment: a standard builder's hard hat is the minimum that should be worn in areas that are liable to falling rocks, especially cliff faces and within quarries, a high visibility jacket will improve your chances in case of an accident. Pick up a geological hammer if you don't have one. It's got a square head on one side, and a chisel tip on the other side. Useful for splitting the layers. Also, safety glasses are essential. You don't want to get a rock splinter in your eye. There's a more comprehensive tool list here "Most of Ontario's fossil record is found in the Paleozoic rocks that cover much of southern Ontario and the James Bay Lowlands. These rocks were deposited during the Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian periods (450-350 million years ago) when Ontario was repeatedly covered by warm, shallow inland seas. The seas were fed by rivers draining from the bordering highlands of the Canadian Shield and acted as settling basins for thousands of meters of sand, mud, and clay. Eastern and northern boundaries of Paleozoic outcrop run roughly through the southern borders of Muskoka and Haliburton just east of Kingston (where Ordovician rocks lap onto Precambrian rocks). Ordovician rocks here abound with fossil snails, clams, squid-like nautiloids, trilobites, starfish, and sea lilies. Late Ordovician and Silurian rocks form the Niagara escarpment that runs from Manitoulin Island to the Niagara Peninsula and on into New York State. The escarpment was formed by rivers draining highlands to southeast. Fossils are scarce here. Silurian corals formed reefs that are now exposed as fossils on Manitoulin Island. Devonian rocks on shore of Lake Huron near Kettle Point contain abundant corals and trilobites, sea lilies and other marine invertebrates. Even the bony skin plates of early armored fish have occasionally been found. Unconsolidated deposits of Pleistocene Epoch are the next great chapter in Ontario's fossils. One of the most complete successions of interglacial sediment is exposed in Toronto Brick Pit. Fossils found here include wood, insects, freshwater clams and snails, antlers of deer, skulls of large bears, groundhogs, bison and giant beaver. Near Welland mastodons, wooly elephants, and pollen grains have been found." Ontario's Fossil Story By: Kristina Anderson, assistant curator
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Destination Ontario
destinationontario.com › en-ca › articles › rockhounding-ontario
Where to go rockhounding | Destination Ontario
June 16, 2022 - Known as the "Ordovician Fossil Capital of Canada," this live museum explores the natural and cultural history along the Bonnechere River and provides guided tours and fossil hunts. Located along the Hastings Heritage Trail and across from the Bancroft Municipal Office, this site contains materials from the Golden-Keene Quarry used during the construction of the railway. Rockhounding here is free.
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Creationresearchontario
creationresearchontario.com › fossil-trips.html
FOSSIL TRIPS - The Creation Research Museum of Ontario
You organize the group and we’ll organize the rocks! Or come on one of our public Spring, Summer ​or Fall fossil trips.
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Utah Geological Survey
geology.utah.gov › apps › fossil_guide
Fossil Collecting | Visitor Information Guide to Fossils in Utah
The Utah Geological Survey provides timely scientific information about Utah's geologic environment, resources and hazards.
Find elsewhere
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Rock 108
keyj.com › places-to-hunt-fossils-in-texas
Where You Can Go Hunting Fossils in the State of Texas
August 3, 2022 - Geologist holding fossil and geological hammer close up ... Even though it was the femur of a dinosaur, those Trilobites last existed about 250 million years ago. Could you imagine those things creeping out other animals back in the day right here in the Lone Star State? Maybe you'd like to create memories like that with your family. Well, you've come to the right place, because there are plenty of rad places in Texas where you can hunt fossils, as you'll see below.
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Fossilspot
fossilspot.com › STATES › ON.HTM
Ontario Fossil Sites
Version 0810 current as of OCT 2008 · Back to States INDEX
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Toronto Life
torontolife.com › home › you can find 350-million-year-old fossils less than three hours from toronto
You can find 350-million-year-old fossils less than three hours from Toronto - Toronto Life
August 6, 2025 - ... Sure, Jurassic World: Rebirth may be getting lukewarm reviews, but don’t let Hollywood’s franchise fatigue kill your childhood obsession with paleontology. Instead, spark some real wonder with a day trip to Rock Glen Conservation Area, where ...
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Instagram
instagram.com › toronto_fossils
Fossils Of Toronto (@toronto_fossils) ...
135 Followers, 127 Following, 28 Posts - Fossils Of Toronto (@toronto_fossils) on Instagram: "Just a fossil hunter sharing fossils found in the Georgian Bay formation of Toronto. Please visit the link provided to see my finds found in the city."
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University of Toronto
utoronto.ca › news › geology-app-helps-students-hunt-fossils-study-waterfalls
Geology app helps students hunt for fossils, study waterfalls | University of Toronto
July 17, 2017 - While some well-known sites are obvious – Niagara Falls and Killarney Provincial Park are on the list– the real benefit comes in discovering the lesser known gems, such as fossil hunting in Courtice or discovering the Elora Gorge near Fergus. Existing apps and websites focus on the location ...
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Organic Road Map
organicroadmap.com › home › geology and nature exploration across ontario
Geology and Nature Exploration Across Ontario - Organic Road Map
October 1, 2024 - I’ve saved you time and research, marking geology locations to explore, fossil and rock hunting, plus highlighting some of Ontario’s natural wonders for you to discover.
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Neviews
neviews.ca › Samples › 12 fossil.pdf pdf
Escarpment Views 8 ❦ Autumn 2010 ❦ Autumn 2010 9 Escarpment Views M
destination of the Toronto ski train in the · Fossil Hunting at Craigleith · The author’s sons are absorbed in trying to identify their fossil finds. 1940s, but now a museum recounting the · history of the Town of the Blue Mountains. Suzanne is the curator, and if you want to ·
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Derek Cadzow
atlanticdestinations.com › home › nova scotia › best fossil hunting in nova scotia
Best fossil hunting in Nova Scotia - Atlantic Destinations
August 27, 2025 - Fossil hunting in Nova Scotia is unlike any other place in the world. Visit Blue Beach or one of the other sites and be prepared to be fascinated. Thanks for joining us on this new adventure!
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Royal Tyrrell Museum
tyrrellmuseum.com › whats_on › activities › fossil_hunting_hike
Fossil Hunting Hike | Royal Tyrrell Museum
Fossil Hunting Hike · All ages · $12 per person, under 2 is free · 90 minutes · 26 · Search for and touch real fossils, and learn about ancient Alberta, as your expert guide leads you through the badlands. Children under 12 MUST be accompanied by a paid adult registered in the program.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/fossilhunting › need help finding fossil hunting locations in southern michigan.
r/FossilHunting on Reddit: Need help finding fossil hunting locations in Southern Michigan.
July 28, 2023 -

My son loves fossils and I would love to take him out and find some, but I have no clue where to look. I've searched but everywhere I find, the land is privately owned. That, or no one wants to share a location. I'm not trying to get them to make money. I'm just wanting to find some for his private collection. Can anyone help?? I'm looking for easy access pieces where you don't have to use a lot of tools. He LOVES trilobites! Thank you so much!!!

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The Fossil Forum
thefossilforum.com › fossil discussion › fossil hunting trips
VERY successful outing in Toronto/Mississauga - Fossil Hunting Trips - The Fossil Forum
May 31, 2020 - Hello! Just wanted to show off some VERY nice fossils (by our standards) I found this past weekend in Etobicoke creek right around the border of Mississauga/Toronto! Me and my dad decided to get back in the groove for some fossil hunting and spent a while biking off road until we came across the ...