Hands-on local family attraction

Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve

About 5 driving miles

A 54-acre nonprofit fossil park where a short first-visit tour leads into hands-on collecting in nearly 400-million-year-old Devonian rock.

The place

About Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve

Penn Dixie turns a former quarry into a genuinely participatory Western New York stop. First-time visitors take an approximately 20-minute orientation, then search the exposed rock with staff guidance. Basic buckets, trowels and a souvenir bag are included, and visitors may keep what they find.

The official 2026 public season runs Wednesday through Sunday from June 24 through Labor Day, September 7, then weekends through September 27. The park opens 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; tours leave every 30 minutes from 9:15 a.m. through 2:45 p.m., and no public entry is allowed after 2:45.

The quarry has little shade and can remain open in rain, closing for lightning. Most collecting areas are designed to be accessible on flat or paved approaches, while loose rock still demands care. Portable toilets are the current restroom provision. Allow two hours for a first visit or longer for serious collecting.

What stands out

Keep real fossils

Visitors may retain the common Devonian fossils they collect.

First-timer support

The required short orientation teaches visitors where and how to search safely.

Flexible visit length

A family can sample the site in one to two hours, while committed collectors can stay all day.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Buffalo, Cattaraugus & Jamestown Scenic Railway trip

At about five driving miles from Scott Street, Penn Dixie is the closest substantial independent activity and a strong family complement to the train. Pair it only when its seasonal hours align with the departure time.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • 2026 seasonWednesday–Sunday, June 24–September 7; weekends only September 12–27
  • Hours9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; first tour 9:15, final tour and entry 2:45 p.m.
  • 2026 admissionAdults $25; Erie County adults $20; seniors, military and students $17; ages 3–17 $15; under 3 free
  • Included20-minute orientation, basic collecting tools and souvenir bag
  • FacilitiesFree parking, portable toilets, picnic tables and limited shade in the quarry
  • AccessibilityMost collecting areas are designed for wheelchair and mobility access; loose rock remains part of the experience

Alternative outdoor stop

Add Eternal Flame Falls

Choose the short but demanding ravine hike instead when fossil-park hours do not fit.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation?

Walk-ins are welcome and assigned to the next available tour. Advance tickets let you choose a tour time.

Can I keep the fossils?

Yes. Penn Dixie permits visitors to keep what they find.

Do I need tools?

Basic buckets and trowels are included. Professional tool sets cost extra and cannot be rented to groups that include children under 12.

Is Penn Dixie accessible?

Most collecting areas are designed for wheelchairs and mobility impairments, with flat or paved access. The collecting surface is still loose rock.

What happens in bad weather?

The park generally remains open in rain but closes for lightning. Bring sun protection and water because the quarry has little shade.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-12. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.