Fossil Hunting in South Dakota

1 verified location for fossil hunting in South Dakota. Each page includes exact permit requirements, restrictions, and what to know before you go.

1 Prohibited

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Prohibited

Badlands National Park

South Dakota, Pennington Jackson·Fossil hunting

Fossil collecting is prohibited at Badlands National Park under NPS regulations and PRPA 2009. The White River Badlands contain the richest Oligocene mammal fossil record on Earth — none of it can be collected, but significant finds are exposed by erosion and must be reported to a ranger.

  • All fossil collection is prohibited under NPS regulations (36 CFR 2.1) and PRPA 2009 — this applies to all material including surface fragments and isolated bone chips
  • Do not pick up, move, or pocket any fossil material — even temporarily, before 'replacing' it, is a violation