Fossil Hunting in Utah

4 verified locations for fossil hunting in Utah. Each page includes exact permit requirements, restrictions, and what to know before you go.

2 Allowed

2 Prohibited

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Prohibited

Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry — BLM

Utah, Emery·Fossil hunting

Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry is a BLM-managed National Natural Landmark containing the densest concentration of Jurassic dinosaur fossils ever discovered — over 12,000 bones from 74 individuals representing 16+ species have been excavated here. Fossil collection is completely prohibited: the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA) prohibits casual collection of vertebrate fossils on all federal land. The quarry is open for observation and education; a small visitor center interprets the site's paleontological significance.

All public fossil collection is prohibited under the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA, 16 U.S.C. §§ 470aaa et seq.) — applies to all vertebrate fossils on all federal land including BLM
Unlike some BLM casual-use sites, Cleveland-Lloyd's status as a National Natural Landmark and active research quarry means even surface invertebrate fossil collection is not permitted

Prohibited

Dinosaur National Monument

Utah, Uintah·Fossil hunting

Fossil collection is strictly prohibited at Dinosaur National Monument under NPS regulations and the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act. The monument was established specifically to protect Late Jurassic fossils — including Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Diplodocus, and Camarasaurus — and contains one of the most significant vertebrate fossil deposits in the world. The Carnegie Quarry Exhibit Hall allows visitors to observe over 1,500 fossil bones still embedded in the cliff face.

All fossil collection by the public is strictly prohibited at Dinosaur National Monument under 36 CFR § 2.1(a)(1) and the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 470aaa et seq.)
The prohibition covers all fossils including invertebrates, plants, trace fossils, and vertebrate material — regardless of size, perceived scientific significance, or location within the monument

Allowed

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument — BLM

Utah, Kane·Fossil hunting

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (BLM-administered) allows casual surface collection of common invertebrate and plant fossils for personal use — a meaningful exception compared to NPS-managed monuments. Vertebrate fossils may not be collected under any circumstances under PRPA. The monument's Cretaceous formations have produced scientifically significant ceratopsian and hadrosaur fossils through permitted research, but surface invertebrate marine fossils are legitimately accessible to casual collectors.

Common invertebrate and plant fossils may be collected for personal non-commercial use under BLM's casual-use fossil policy — up to 25 pounds per day, 250 pounds per year without a permit
CRITICAL: Vertebrate fossils (bones, teeth, tracks of any backboned animal) may NOT be collected under any circumstances — PRPA prohibits casual collection of vertebrate fossils on all federal land

Allowed

San Rafael Swell (BLM)

Utah, Emery·Fossil hunting

Casual collection of common invertebrate and plant fossils is allowed at San Rafael Swell under federal PRPA 2009 rules — up to 25 lbs per day, personal use, no permit required. Vertebrate fossils require a federal research permit and may not be casually collected. The Jurassic National Monument and Fossil Point Trailhead areas are observation-only — no collecting of any kind.

Common invertebrate and plant fossils may be casually collected for personal use — up to 25 lbs per day, 250 lbs per year, non-commercial (PRPA 2009 / 43 CFR Part 49)
CRITICAL: Vertebrate fossils (bones, teeth, tracks of any animal with a vertebral column) may NOT be casually collected — a federal research permit is required; unauthorized collection is a federal crime with penalties up to 5 years and $20,000 fine