Fossil Sites of North Texas

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.

Excavation surface

Whiskey Bridge

East face of the outcrop

Gastropod (snails) fossils

Bivalve (clams) fossils

Fossiliferous shale matrix

Click here for a more detailed list of fossils from this site.

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

Click here for park website.

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

Cretaceous Oysters

Pectin fragments and worm tubes on shells

Possibly pyrirtized ammonite and snail fossils

Click here for a more detailed list of fossils from this site.

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

Dilophosaurus

Main Gate

Postosuchus

Triceratops

Maiasaura

Saltosaurus

Click here for park website.

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

110 million-year-old Sauropod track

Main sign, as you enter the park

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 Outdated but awesome!

Click here for park website.

〉 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 Brachiopods

Fossil Snails

Fossil sponges and Crinoids

Click here for a list of fossils from this site.

Click here for park website.

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

Fossil Nautiloids (Squid relatives) Shells

Fossil Brachiopods, Ammoites, Snails and Clams

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

Click here for a more detailed list of fossils from this site.

〉 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.

Dimetrodon outside art

Fossil Dimetrodon

Edaphosaurus model

Diadectes skull

Fossil Dimetrodon jaw

Xenocanthus fossil spine

Click here for Whiteside Museum of Natural History website.

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

Fossil Ammonites, Clams, Crinoids, and Corals

Fossil Nautiloids and Snails

Fossil Brachiopods

Click here for a more detailed list of fossils from this site.

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

Fossil Ammonite Internal Cast

Fossil Pectin and Clam Cast

Fossil Snails and Sea Urchin

Click here for a more detailed list of fossils from this site.

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

Fossil Ammonite Cast

Fossil Pectin and Oysters

Fossil Snails and Sea Urchin

Click here for a more detailed list of fossils from this site.

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

Fossil Ammonites and Baculites

Fossil Bone Fragment

Fossil Clam Imprint

Click here for a more detailed list of fossils from this site.

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

Click here for Perot Museum website.

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

Click here for a more detailed list of fossils from this site.

General Notes:

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

Economy Trip Details:

Self-provided transportation, park fees, hotel, food and beverages.

Logistics: Jurassic James will issue a schedule and meet your group at designated sites and time.

Deluxe Trip Details:

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.

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