Are all ages welcome?

Yes, fossil hunting is suitable for children age 7 and up, with adult supervision recommended.

Do we need prior experience?

No prior experience is required—educators provide guidance and demonstrations.

The adventure goes on rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the weather.

Yes, fossil hunting tools are supplied on-site for all participants.

Can I keep the fossils I find?

Yes, participants are encouraged to take home their discoveries.

Is there any physical activity involved?

Light physical activity is involved, mainly digging and searching in the excavation areas.

Fossil Hunting for Beginners | Guided Tour in Hamburg | Walking Tour, Workshop, Events, Environmental Attraction | Guided Tour | Walking Tour

Located in Hamburg, New York, Penn Dixie offers a rare opportunity for everyone to unearth ancient secrets through fossil hunting. As a family-friendly destination, it provides an accessible way to connect with the Earth's deep history in a lively, engaging setting. The site is renowned for its rich layers of fossils from the Devonian period, featuring ancient sea creature remains embedded in the sedimentary rocks. This standout location is particularly special for its educational programs designed by Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc., making fossil discovery fun and informative. Participants, especially kids aged 7 and up, are introduced to essential techniques like proper digging, fossil extraction, and cataloging, fostering curiosity about prehistoric life. The site itself parameters a former limestone quarry, where exposed rock faces reveal a window into the distant past. Visitors can expect to find fossils of trilobites, brachiopods, and corals, set against a backdrop of colorful rock formations. The site’s approachability and the hands-on learning experience set it apart from more traditional museums, offering an outdoor adventure wrapped in paleontological discovery. The guides are passionate educators dedicated to making each visit memorable, emphasizing conservation and scientific appreciation. Whether rain or shine, the thrill of uncovering ancient relics makes this trip a must-do for budding paleontologists or curious families. Penn Dixie’s fossil hunting adventure combines natural history with outdoor fun, making it a premier activity for those interested in earth sciences and outdoor education in Hamburg.

Difficulty

easy.

Duration

2 hours.

Fitness level

All ages and fitness levels welcome, just wear comfortable shoes.

Wildlife

Eastern Box Turtles
Common Eastern Snakes

History

Penn Dixie is a former limestone quarry that has transformed into an educational fossil site, known for its well-preserved Devonian fossils.

Conservation

The site emphasizes conservation by maintaining the fossil layers and encouraging visitors to leave fossils and respect the natural environment.

Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc. connects visitors with hands-on fossil experiences at the Penn Dixie site. The organization offers guided fossil-hunting programs for families, schools, and small groups that focus on Devonian-era fossils preserved in a 54-acre park. Programs include two-hour public fossil-hunting sessions led by Penn Dixie educators, extended tours that allow collecting until closing, private expeditions for groups up to 10 with tools and a complimentary “Field Guide to the Devonian Paleontology of New York,” birthday party packages with guided collecting and pavilion celebration options, and a Junior Geologist Expedition for ages 5–12 with a special patch. All programs emphasize safe, educational collecting: participants receive tools and buckets, instruction in finding and preserving fossils, and the right to keep discoveries. Activities run rain or shine and are suitable for beginners and families; the Fossil Hunting for Beginners offering is recommended for ages 7 and up. The Junior Geologist Expedition highlights 380 million-year-old Devonian fossils and combines hands-on collecting with guided interpretation. Hamburg Natural History Society, Inc. leverages Penn Dixie educators and published field resources to support learning. By providing trained guides, site access, educational materials, and clear group limits, the organization creates repeatable, family-friendly fossil experiences. The combination of guided instruction, take-home finds, and site-specific resources makes these programs attractive for birthday celebrations, school outings, scout groups, and adult fossil enthusiasts seeking a factual, hands-on introduction to Devonian paleontology. Bookings support small groups, classrooms, scout troops, and community organizations seeking educational, hands-on fossil experiences at Penn Dixie park.

Base locationHamburg, New York

Tours offered5+

Specialtyland-adventures

StewardshipLeave No Trace