silverphoenix Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Can anyone direct me to any fossil sites in Iowa or Illinois? I'm visiting for three days this next weekend and would like to get done fossil hunting in while I'm there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpc Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 I think if you can find a road cut... stop and check it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverphoenix Posted March 10, 2015 Author Share Posted March 10, 2015 I will have a very limited time frame, so I'll need a specific site to go to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Russell Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Where in Illinois will you be staying? Finding my way through life; one fossil at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raggedy Man Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Conditions will not be ideal as the ground will still be half frozen. Since you'll be in the illinois/iowa area...I can only suggest one spot...wild cat park. Fossil collecting is permitted as is collecting Keokuk geodes. The rivers might be high, but the little streams in the area should be perfect. The shale I've hunted at wild cat park is rich in long crinoid stems with the occasional peppering of bivalves and other marine life. The Keokuk area is rich with fossils and you shouldn't have any problems finding a road cut or stream cut within an hour of being there. The park is the only public place I know of besides streams....and the Mississippi river as my hunting areas are on private land. You could also take a trip to Briarwood and hunt the mazon creek around pit 11...but it's heavily searched. I'd suggest starting your hunt now with Google Earth...as you stated your time is limited. Best regards, Paul ...I'm back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raggedy Man Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Here is a link for the park. This should help you get an idea of the area and a good place to expand from. Good luck with your trip! Paul http://www.hamiltonillinois.org/park.html ...I'm back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNGray Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 The Fossil park in Rockford, Iowa is a great public locale. http://nautiloid.net/fossils/sites/rockford/rockford.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakebite6769 Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 I go to Graf Iowa and have been collecting trilo pieces for the last few days. I will be going back tonight if weather conditions permit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John K Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Another vote for Fossil Prairie Park in Rockford http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?/topic/8514-trip-to-rockford/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FossilDAWG Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 All of Iowa and Illinois is a lot of territory, and you'll probably want to spend time collecting rather than driving. Can you be more specific about where you will be based? Don Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverphoenix Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 I know for Illinois, it will be somewhere near Chicago. I'm not the one planning the trip, so I'm fuzzy on the exact routes at the moment... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverphoenix Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 Between Davenport and Iowa City specifically Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minnbuckeye Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Fossil prairie park would be a long drive for you. Sent a message for a local spot near Iowa City Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNGray Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 If near Chicago, its not too far from the Mazon Creek areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakebite6769 Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I am in davenport currently because of work. I am also looking for new places as the list that is available is fairly unclear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Russell Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Charlie, myself, fossil diver steve, and perhaps a few others are hunting mazon on Sunday morning. Personal message me if you're interested. Finding my way through life; one fossil at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squalicorax Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 I sent a site to these two guys. There are trilobite sites 1-3 hours north of there. My Flickr Page of My Collection: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79424101@N00/sets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snakebite6769 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 I have a while day to hunt so anyplace farther north you could suggest? Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts