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.

Fossil Hunting for Beginners

New to fossil hunting?

Learn the tricks of the trade while touring the site with one of our trained educators! During this two hour tour, we’ll teach you how to find, dig, and preserve all the fossil treasures you find. Bring your own tools or rent from our limited supply.

No experience is necessary. All ages welcome — this program will run rain or shine, dress for the weather.

Dates and times:
Saturdays throughout the season starting at 10 am and lasting until 12 pm.

  • May 20th, 10 am – 12 pm 
  • June 10th, 10 am – 12 pm
  • June 24th, 10 am – 12 pm
  • July 8th, 10 am – 12 pm
  • July 22nd, 10 am – 12 pm
  • August 12th, 10 am – 12 pm
  • August 26th, 10 am – 12 pm
  • September 9th, 10 am – 12 pm
  • October 14th, 10 am – 12 pm

Included with admission or FREE for Penn Dixie members.
Select the “Fossil Hunting for Beginners” tour-time option when registering online, for no additional charge.

Register Here