Please be aware that it is VERY illegal to collect fossils in the U. S. National Park Service. Paleontologists may get special research permits to collect fossils in National Parks. You can read a complete report on the management of Fossils and Federal and Indian Lands. Be sure to visit my website for links to U.S. National and State Parks that feature paleontology.
One place which you might consider collecting fossils is on public lands that are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Fossils on Public Lands may be collected under certain circumstances. It is against the law to sell or barter any fossils collected on public land.
If you find invertebrate fossils, such as Trilobites or Ammonites, on public land, you may collect "reasonable amounts" for your personal use only. Plant fossils may also be collected in reasonable amounts. You may collect up to 25 pounds of petrified wood per day, plus one additional piece, but no more than 250 pounds in a year.
Collecting invertebrate or plant fossils which are exceptional or rare, such as insects preserved in amber or in fine sandstone or those needed for research projects, may require a permit from the BLM.
"Because of their relative scarcity and scientific importance," vertebrate fossils may only be collected with a permit, and permits are only granted to persons who show a sufficient level of training and experience in collecting fossils. To apply for a vertebrate fossil collecting permit, contact your State BLM Office All vertebrate fossils that are collected under such a permit must be held in an approved repository, such as a university or museum collection.
Archaeological artifacts (items made by or altered by humans -- such as petroglyphs or stone hunting tools) and human skeletons are stringently protected by federal and state antiquities laws, and should not be disturbed. Instead, you should notify a park ranger.
If you want to look for fossils on privately owned land, you may only do so with the permission of the landowner. You should show any fossils that you find to the landowner after you collect them, to make certain that the landowner does allow you to take them. If you remove fossils from privately owned land without the permission of the landowner, you can be charged with theft.
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