Opening Day – April 29th

Saturday April 29th, 2023 – 9 am to 4:30 pm

Join us on April 29th for the opening day of Penn Dixie’s 28th season! Celebrate spring with the #1 fossil park in the U.S., collect Devonian Period fossils, and enjoy a day exploring the outdoors.

Penn Dixie is open from 9 am – 4:30 pm. The first tour departs at 9:15 am; subsequent tours are held every 30 minutes. The final tour is 2:45 pm and the park closes at 4:30 pm. Final entry for non-members is at 2:45 pm. Tickets can be purchased day-of on site, but we recommend booking tickets online if you have a specific tour time that you would like.

The park is open weekends-only from April 29th to June 12th. We are open daily from June 12th to September 4th, then return to weekends-only until mid-October. Full information regarding hours and rates can be found here: https://penndixie.org/hours-and-rates/

New to fossil hunting? Not quite sure what to expect from Penn Dixie? Wondering what to bring? Check out our frequently asked questions page: https://penndixie.org/faq/

Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve is generously supported by Erie County and the Town of Hamburg.

Penn Dixie Day

On Saturday October 3 we celebrate 25 years of Hamburg love with free admission for Hamburg residents! Join us for a complimentary tour of our 54-acre park that was made possible by support from the town that friendship built — Hamburg, NY.

  • Reservations required; tickets limited
  • Rain or shine, all ages welcome
  • Basic fossil collecting tools provided
  • Bring a bag, box, or bucket to store your fossils
  • Tours depart regularly
  • Final tour at 2:45 pm
  • Park is wheelchair accessible

Hamburg Natural History Society/Penn Dixie thanks our neighbors in Hamburg and Blasdell, The Hamburg Town Board — current and previous editions — and The Hamburg Town Supervisor’s office for over two decades of support. We also acknowledge The Hamburg Chamber of CommerceHighway Department, and The Town of Hamburg Department of Youth, Recreation, and Senior Services for their longstanding collaborations.


How to Book: Follow this link and select the Hamburg Resident ticket option for any tour time on October 3. Non-residents are welcome to join at our usual admission rates.

What to Bring: Proof of residency in Hamburg such as driver’s license, passport, or utility statement. Proof is required for one adult in each household group.

Prehistoric Policies: Children must be accompanied at all times. Stone-throwing and running are expressly prohibited. Please do not disturb the plant and animal life. Guests who do not follow our rules will be asked to leave. Outside food and beverage are welcome; no alcohol, please. No pets allowed. Official service animals are welcome. Penn Dixie is a no-smoking facility. Firearms, knives, and weapons are prohibited.

We thank the Town of Hamburg and Erie County for major support.

Hamburg seal        Erie-County-Seal

Grandparents Day

In recognition of the important role of grandparents, grandchildren accompanied by grandparents are admitted for free on Sunday the 10th!

Tours depart every 30 minutes beginning at 9:15 am. The final tour departs at 2:45 pm. There is no admission after 2:45 pm. Guests are welcome to stay until the park closes at 4:30 pm!

Each Grandparent ticket purchased includes up to three (3) free child tickets (Ages 3-17). Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times while at Penn Dixie. Other offers (coupons, guest passes) cannot be combined with this promotion.

Purchase General Admission

Tool rental is available for $5 in addition to our complimentary garden trowels and buckets. Tool rental include a small sledge hammer, a geologist’s hammer, chisel, safety goggles, knee pad, and bucket.

Penn Dixie members attend for FREE. Our usual admission rates apply to all other guests.