A person holds fossils, rocks, and sand in their hands

Can I Collect Fossils?

The Bureau of Land Management welcomes the public to explore landscapes with known paleontological resources. We all play a critical role in preserving our nation’s heritage by recreating responsibly. When unsure of whether a fossil may be collected, please leave it where you find it. While hiking, please help to protect fossils by avoiding walking and sitting on them. In areas where vehicles and bikes are allowed, please do your part to preserve the natural beauty of the area.

Many important fossil discoveries are made by the public! If you find a fossil that you think is unique, please leave it in place, take pictures and record its location, and report it to a local BLM office.

Regulations

The following federal regulations describe what fossils can be collected by recreationalists or ‘casual collectors’ on lands administered by BLM:

  • Vertebrate fossils and uncommon invertebrate and plant fossils: While awesome to see and touch, it is illegal to dig, remove, collect, or make molds or casts of vertebrate fossils such as dinosaurs, mammals, fish, and reptiles without a research permit. This regulation also applies to fossil trackways and uncommon invertebrate and plant fossils. Fossils collected by permitted researchers remain public property and are placed with museums, universities, or other public institutions for study and exhibition.
  • Non-vertebrate fossils and petrified wood: Anyone may collect, without a permit, a ‘reasonable amount’ of common invertebrate fossils such as mollusks and trilobites, plant fossils such as fossil leaves, and petrified wood from BLM-managed public lands. Such collections must be for personal use, and the fossils may not be bartered or sold. Allowable techniques include surface collection and the use of non-powered hand tools, resulting in only negligible disturbance to the Earth’s surface or paleontological or other resources. Power tools and heavy equipment may not be used. Reasonable amount is defined as:
    • Non-vertebrate fossils: Casual collectors may obtain up to 25 pounds of common non-vertebrate paleontological resources per day per person.
    • Petrified wood: Casual collectors may obtain up to 25 pounds plus one piece of petrified wood per day. The maximum total amount that one person may remove in one calendar year shall not exceed 250 pounds.

For additional information about collecting fossils on lands managed by BLM, please visit Can I Keep This?