Fossils of North Texas

In just two days we will explore the fossil history of North Texas by collecting 300-million-year-old marine invertebrates and walking in 110 million year old dinosaur tracks. Below is a list of the various stop options and and fossils that we could find. For labeled descriptions of the fossils I have added links to the red text “Click here” sections below.

What You’ll Explore:

〉 Whisky Bridge Eocene Exposure on our first stop we will excavate and keep 41 million years old marine snails and clams. The Eocene was the last time the Earth had no polar glaciers. Sea level went as far inland as Wyoming leaving Texas a shallow ocean.

East face of the outcrop

Fossiliferous shale matrix

〉 Waco Mammoth National Monument is a national park were we will learn about “Ice Age” Texas and view Colombian Mammoth still in the ground.

〉 The Waco Pit is a seasonal stop that requires a special permit. It is also a research site and is not always available.

Possibly pyrirtized ammonite and snail fossils

〉 Dinosaur World we will tour through life size dinosaur models. They also have a very interesting gift shop.

Postosuchus

Saltosaurus

〉 Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose, Texas we will see early Cretaceous dinosaur tracks in the Paluxey River. Waterproof boots are suggested! 

Main sign, as you enter the park

1964 World’s Fair Tyrannosaurus rex and “Brontosaurus“. Outdated but awesome!

〉 Hotels and Lodging one night in the Red Lion Inn & Suites – 6801 US 180E, or Days Inn 107 Washington Rd, Mineral Wells, Texas

〉 Mineral Wells Fossil Park we will collect and keep upper Carboniferous (about 300 million year old) fossil sponges, crinoids and possibly trilobites.

Fossil sponges and Crinoids

〉 Palo Pinto road cut we will collect and keep upper Carboniferous period fossils of different species of brachiopods, clams and crinoids.

Fossil Sponges, Coral, Crinoids and Sea Urchins with spines and plates 

〉 Whiteside Museum in Seymour, Texas where we will see terrestrial life proceeding the dinosaurs. This is one of the top museums in Texas and does active excavations on a local ranch. Here we will see the fossil prep lab where the fossils are cleaned to be put on display.

Edaphosaurus model

Xenocanthus fossil spine

〉 Jacksboro Spillway collect and keep upper Carboniferous period (Finis Shale) fossils of different species of brachiopods, clams and crinoids.

Fossil Brachiopods

〉 Weatherford, Texas Road Cut between Jacksboro and Fort Worth on highway 51 we will see lower Cretaceous marine fossils.

Fossil Snails and Sea Urchin

〉 Cretaceous Fossil Site in Fort Worth collect and keep fossil ammonite, snails, clams and sea urchin cast.

Fossil Snails and Sea Urchin

〉 Ladonia Fossil Park northeast of Dallas, Texas Cretaceous beds that hold bivalve, ammonite and possible mosasaur fossils.

Fossil Clam Imprint

〉 Perot Museum in Dallas, Texas to see how the Geology of Texas affects the Paleontology (Time Permitted).

〉 Post Oak Creek south of Sherman, Texas is a late Cretaceous fossil bed known for Lopha oysters and shark’s teeth (Time Permitted).

• The entire trip has eight to ten stop depending on season and flooding.

• Appropriate clothing should be worn during all hikes based on temperature and time of year. 

• Note: It is illegal to collect vertebrate fossils in Texas, we will only keep marine invertebrate shells.

• To book a trip or inquire more details, email me at: jurassicjames65@gmail.com

• Includes: Educator(s), driver, park fees, hotel and museum tickets provided.

• Transportation provided in the form of a 12 to 15 passenger van.

• Breakfast (provided by hotel), Lunch and Dinner.