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Rock and Fossil Hunting in Texas

The Texas terrain has been dated by paleontologists to the Cretaceous Period during the Mesozoic Age. Fossil and rock hunters can find interesting rocks and fossils across the state of Teas. It is estimated that there are approximately 500,000 fossil remains within Texas. Specific rock types that can be found include agate, jasper, flint, alabaster, pyrite, crystals, granite and topaz.

Fossil Locations
- Fossils can be found throughout Texas. Specific locations to successfully hunt for fossils are Quitaque; Ralls; Bridgeport; Cisco; North Sulfur River; Choke Canyon; Three Rivers; Tilden; Bandera; Gatesville; Lake Whitney; Lampasas; Priddy; Giddings; Madisonville; Lake Somerville; Ledbetter; La Grange; Lyons; Rockdale; Smithville; Wiskey Bridge; Crockett; Lake Sam Rayburn; Livingston; Toledo Bend Dam; Trinity; and Corpus Christi.
Rock Locations
- Rock hunters will enjoy hunting for rocks across the State of Texas. Specific locations to find agates include Balmorhea; Marfa; Terlinqua Creek; Toyah; Woodward Ranch; Bob's Knob; Devine; Falls City; Freer; North Laredo; South Laredo; Sullivan; Three Rivers; Falcon Reservoir; Lake Somerville; La Grange; and Smithville.
  
  Jasper can be found at Marathon; Lake Somerville; La Grange; and Smithville. Marble can be found at Frankling Mountain. Granite can be found at Burnett. Pyrite and crystals can be found at Alvord. Alabaster can be found at Turkey. Topaz can be found throughout Mason County.
Formations
- The fossils of Texas were formed in 12 specific formations during the Early and Late Cretaceous Periods. The Early Cretaceous Period formations include the Trinity Group, Goodland Limestone and Kiamichi. The Late Cretaceous Period formations include Woodbine; Tokio; Brownstown Marl; Ozan; Annona Chalk; Marlbrook Marl; Sratoga Chalk; Nacatoch Sand; and Arka Delphia Marl. Each formation layer has a unique combination of chemicals and compounds along with unique fossils from the time period.
Fossil Types
- Types of fossils that can be found in Texas are carbonized wood or petrified wood; leaves; plants; bivalves; gastropods; vertebrates; oysters; cephalopods; echinoderms; annelids; fish; coral; crustaceans; coelenterates; reptiles; sponges; bryozoa; echinodermata; fish teeth; crabs; shark teeth; and micro-fossils.
Tools
- Tools required for rock hunting or fossil hunting for amateurs include a bricklayer's hammer; mini-sledge hammer; claw hammer; chisels; carrying box; newspaper; tissue paper; large soft bristles brush; large hard bristle brush; water bottle; and small carrying containers. A backpack or large bucket work well for carrying the tools.

Rocks & Minerals