Penn Dixie will reopen on May 2, 2026, for our 31st season!!! We will be open to the general public on weekends from May 2nd until June 14th. We will resume our full summer schedule, Wednesday through Sunday, beginning June 17th and continuing through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026.
We are now accepting reservations for our 2026 season!!!
Guided Group Tours and Private Expeditions are available through October, though availability is very limited. We are currently booking these programs for spring with an earliest start date of April 20.
During our season, the park opens at 9 am and closes at 4:30 pm. A 20-minute guided tour is included with all admissions. Tours are offered every 30 minutes; the first tour departs at 9:15 am and the final tour departs at 2:45 pm. There is no public entry after 2:45 pm. After your tour, you are welcome to stay and collect fossils until the park closes. Basic collecting tools and a souvenir bag are provided to all patrons.
Want to dig deeper? Private Expeditions are available on any day of the week but require advance booking and are weather dependent. Penn Dixie members have the option to visit the park during the offseason with special access permission.
| Adults | Adult, Erie County Residents | Seniors (62+) | Military | Students | Children (3-17) | Members |
| $25 | $20 | $17 | $17 | $17 | $15 | FREE |
Erie County Resident Adult Admission: $20
As a thank-you for Erie County’s support of Penn Dixie, Erie County residents receive discounted adult admission. Valid proof of Erie County residency is required at check-in.
We do not charge for children under age 3. Senior, military, and student discounts offered with valid ID. Basic collecting tools (bucket and trowel) are available at no additional cost. Professional collecting tools may be rented for $10. See our Frequent Questions for information about tools and fossils collecting. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Discounts: Arts Access Pass cardholders get free general admission for themselves and free general admission for 1 guest – just present your pass at check-in. Through the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library V.I.P program, library cardholders are eligible for buy 1 get 1 free general admission – limit 1 per group, valid only for in-person purchases. Veterans with a valid Erie County ‘Thank A Vet’ Discount Program can present their card on-site for free admission.
Private Tours: Want your own guide for 2 hours of personalized fossil collecting fun? We offer Private Expeditions! Private Expeditions are available on any day of the week, even when we are closed to the public. Advance booking is required.
Members: Please read our Member Guide and Contact Us to arrange for offseason access.
New to Penn Dixie? Please see our Frequent Questions.
Introductory tours depart from the Admission Pavilion every 30 minutes from 9:15 a.m. through 2:45 p.m.
Guests who purchase tickets online in advance will receive timed entry set for 10 minutes before their tour begins. This allows time to park, gather any needed items, and complete check-in before departure.
Guests who purchase non-timed tickets on site will be assigned to the next scheduled tour.
If you miss your scheduled tour, please note that, due to staffing and tour operations, you will need to wait for the next departure, which will be no more than 30 minutes later.
Lightning Policy: Though Penn Dixie is open on rainy days, we reserve the right to close due to lightning. We follow the National Lightning Safety Institute guidelines for outdoor sporting events. Should lightning be observed within a 5-10 mile radius, staff will close the site for a minimum of 30 minutes.
Heat Policy: Penn Dixie reserves the right to close due to hot weather. For the safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers, we typically close early when regional heat advisories are issued. Please check our FB for weather related updates: https://www.facebook.com/penndixie