Fossil Park

Category: Park in Sylvania, Ohio

Address: 5705 Centennial Rd, Sylvania, OH 43560, USA

Phone: +14198828313

Opening hours

Sunday: 8:30AM–7:30PM

Monday: 8:30AM–7:30PM

Tuesday: 8:30AM–7:30PM

Wednesday: 8:30AM–7:30PM

Thursday: 8:30AM–7:30PM

Friday: 8:30AM–7:30PM

Saturday: 8:30AM–7:30PM

Reviews

Amanda Lucero

Oct 31, 2022

Not open when their website said they are. Drove from out of town

Rebecca Connolly

Oct 19, 2022

We had my grandson's birthday party here he had a dinosaur theme and it was a lot of fun the only thing I had problems with is that I use a walker and it was kind of hard to get down to the pit I had to have some help but my grandson had a blast finding fossils

Patrick Voyle

Oct 16, 2022

This was a nice little park to visit. We drove a little over an hour to find some different specimens that what we’re used to finding in our area. Overall the park was clean and the park supervisor, Dan, was super helpful in giving advice for how to search through the tailings piles that they bring into the park area. Dan was also very welcoming to us and we had a nice conversation about the things that have been found and what we might find. Although we didn’t come away with tons of items, we really didn’t need to find a lot to be happy. They were nice specimens, the park was safe and the staff were welcoming and knowledgeable. There’s not much more one could ask for. For anyone who gets upset about not finding a ton of stuff, that’s why it’s called “hunting” and not “finding fossils”. When you’re surprised by the little treasures you do find, it makes you that much more appreciative and thankful. This park is a hidden gem and hopefully continues to be around for years to com. I would recommend, wearing some sort of gloves as the limestone can be a little hard on your hands.

Josh Lewis-Stotts

Oct 7, 2022

This is my second time going to fossil park and I gotta say that it's pretty fun. Don't get me wrong, it's just piles of dirt. But it's dirt that possibly contains treasures!! As long as you don't pick a super hot day you'll have a good time. Great place to tucker out the kids as well. They say no metal tools but we bring in a couple flat head screwdrivers and a hand shovel because there are some rocks that are super big inside the piles. As long as there are no kids around, the park rangers are generally nice about tools. I mean, how else do you get fossils out. Overall, it's a good way to spend the day. Common fossils are chrinoids, brachiopods, and trilobites

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Questions & Answers

How much is the entrance fee

Juan Francisco Arias Reyna | Sep 3, 2022
Fossil Park | Sep 3, 2022

There is no entry fee. We hope to see you at the park soon.

Can we fossil hunt?

Susanne Shoffner | Nov 2, 2020
Fossil Park | Nov 2, 2020

The Fossil Digging Pit is open by online reservation on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. You can reserve your spot at https://www.olanderpark.com/explorefossilpark/

are dogs allowed in the lake

David Swank | Nov 3, 2019
Fossil Park | Nov 3, 2019

David, we do not have a lake at Fossil Park. We do allow dogs on the Quarry Ridge Trail that passes through Fossil Park to Sylvan Prairie Park. However, we do not allow dogs in the fossil pit.

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Are the fossils real. I read that you guys "refill the pit"

Creedence Wieczorek | Nov 3, 2019
Karen Burris | Nov 3, 2019

The fossils are real. The fossils digging pit is refilled through donations from the neighboring limestone quarry. I myself, found many brachiopods, trilobites, gastropods, and coral.

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Hi I'm planning on bring my son and niece and nephew up there on Monday do you have to get there early or just anytime throughout the day is fine? We are 3 hours away just want to plan it so they have the best time possible.

Daniel Gill | Nov 3, 2019
Fossil Park | Nov 3, 2019

Fossil Park is open 7 days a week until October 27 when it closes for the season. Any day and time is fine for a visit, but just remember as the day gets hotter so does the pit. It is usually 10 degrees hotter than the temperature up top. We do not allow metal tools. We often suggest an old toothbrush. The fossils you can get out are in shale and the end of a toothbrush will usually get it out. If you find a harder rock, you are more than welcome to carry it up and use metal tools at home. A bucket works great, and ziplock bags are good for trilobites and crinoids. We do not have staff generally during the week except for when we lead group trips. It will be staffed weekends through Labor Day weekend. Across the street is Mayberry Square, where you find lunch and ice cream. Have fun!

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Is there a fee

Sue Tuite | Nov 3, 2019
John Page | Nov 3, 2019

There is no fee for Fossil Park. The park is open daily but only staffed on the weekends from 11am to 4pm. No metals tools are allowed. Visitors can keep all fossils that are found.

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When do they restock the shale from the quarry?

Connor Fogo | Nov 3, 2019
Fossil Park | Nov 3, 2019

Hi Connor. The shale is restocked as needed. It can depend on the number of school groups we had that week and how busy the weekends are. However, typically the piles are refreshed at least every other week.

Has it been opened yet this season? I see April 15th on the website, but id like to go sooner if it's already open.

TryItWithRanch | Nov 3, 2019
Jessica Wunderlin | Nov 3, 2019

No, that is the opening date.

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Do you have to pay to hunt for fossils

cheyenne Johnson | Nov 3, 2018
Anita Stevenson | Nov 3, 2018

Nope

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How do we look for fossils

Celtic Sword | Nov 3, 2018
Johnny H. | Nov 3, 2018

There are loads of rocks they dump and you just shuffle through and find them.

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Is the park open if it is raining?

Dianne Jochum | Nov 3, 2018
idziak4ever | Nov 3, 2018

I can verify that. I was there on a rainy day!

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Does it cost anything to get in?

Lisa Gotschall | Nov 3, 2018
Fossil Park | Nov 3, 2018

Fossil Park is free!

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How much is admission to Fossil Park in Sylvania ,Ohio?

Dave Ray | Nov 3, 2018
Fred Newstead | Nov 3, 2018

Free, 2$ per person if you schedule a guide. Its worth the money, extremely informative, ans it helps their research.

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Does the park close at a specific time?

Anuschka Kruger | Nov 3, 2017
Ash | Nov 3, 2017

Dusk I believe

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