Ladonia Fossil Park

Donna Denece

2024-05

Great fun, free to hunt fossils. Looks like a way easier entrance ramp than before. It seemed very picked over by local fossil hunters this visit. Didn't find much today. Sunny day and water was very low.Playground: NoneRestrooms: Port o potty was surprisingly clean and well-stocked.

Hye Lee

2024-03

It's a great place to go during the summer. Please note that the ground is like mud. I went in February and it was so cold.

Michael Stark

2024-04

A great place to spend time with the kids hunting fossils, digging in the dirt, and throwing clay: fun for all the ages.

Donny Hacker

2023-05

I'm giving it one star because the "park" looks like a hot mess because, apparently, they are building a lake. As you can see, the creek bed was relatively dry when I visited, but the dirt and mud was still incredibly deep. Only thing I found were rocks and most of those look like they were probably trucked in by the construction crews. I also wasn't aware that the "park" doubled as a shooting rage - stay classy Ladonia.

Adam Hill

2019-05

We had a great time. As everyone has said the stairs are dangerous, but as long as you are physically fit they are fine. I took a 3 and 5 year old down and up without issue. We had a great time in March with the river very low. We found tons of shells and imprints, but nothing more interesting. We were within half mile of the bridge and will go out further next time.

Jim Parker

2020-05

Great place to take the kids & grandkids!Everyone found a fossil or two to take home. It's not if you find fossils, it's if you're willing to carry the heavy fossils back up the hill to the car so be sure to bring a bucket for all of your treasurers.The river is hiking-boot height, so suggest waders or water shoes. Found a few broken bottles, so don't advise going barefoot.

Christopher Carver

2020-05

This is a good place to find fossils in the riverbed. There are lots of old clam shell impressions in the clay. The water is usually no more than 1 foot deep, but some spots are very muddy. As for the park, it is just an grassy parking lot. No facilities, or even trash cans. My kids had fun looking for fossils in the river bed.There was a stepped erosion control pathway down to the riverbed. We used this to make our way down. Some of the steps are big, about 2 feet high for each step.

Becca Foust

2021-05

We love this place! My kids never want to leave. We haven't been to great at finding fossils, but splashing in the water and digging are still pretty fun! Careful on the way down, huge steps and real slippery if it just rained. Not shady pretty much at all, besides under the bridge and a few places down the stream up on the sides. I'd recommend water shoes if you plan on walking alot, it can be a bit painful.

Andrea Labordeta

2021-05

This place was awesome!!! Be ready to climb down and up some very deep steps. Wear clothes you don't mind getting very dirty. Can't wait to go back when it's dry!

Sandra McWilliams

2024-01

My husband and I were not there very long but found quite a few fossils. We will go back earlier in the day so we can spend more time. Wear rubber boots, take a small shovel or something to dig with and enjoy!

Jason Farmer (Jasonf1984)

2018-05

A lot of fun. We found a few bones and petrified wood. The kids loved playing in the water. The stairs are hell, pack everything you need on your back and bring an extra set of clothes to change into.

Angela Cross

2021-05

Very peaceful. Water pretty low today. The walkways need serious attention. It's very steep with only 1 way down and back up.

Centrifugal Muse

2022-05

It’s beautiful here, whether you want to look over the edge of the bridge or go down and look for fossils!Love that they added a parking lot and walkway so we no longer have to rappel down with a rope lol

Cindy Luna

2020-05

Clean and beautiful like nature should be. My 2 boys and I loved it (11 and 13 yr old) Not much water at the time but enough to enjoy and cool off.

Amanda Buford

2023-08

Awesome first time referral from a friend. Is the neatest place. But it was extremely too hot for the time of day we chose to go yesterday

Coree Carter

2023-05

We had a great time searching for fossils, even found a mosasaur vertebrae and some ammonite impressions. Learned its currently the worst time to go just because of the lack of rain recently, but we still had fun.

feeder watch

2018-05

Awesome place with tons of fossil finds to be found. Make sure you pay attention to the weather so you don't get caught in a flash flood. Bring plenty of water and some extra clothes for when you're done because you are going to have a fun but messy time.

Lee Perrin

2024-03

Nice place. Not commercilized, my wife and granddaughter enjoyed it. We will visit again.

Marc Gregory

2023-06

Found out about this place and made plans to visit. I plan on coming back better prepared.

Alex Morton

2022-05

Amazingly fun fossil hunting for the family! Easily accessible with the new parking lot and ramp at this location, no fees for parking or day use. Bring tools, a bag and wear boots but be aware this is a riverbed so after rains/floods there will be water.

Cara Vaughan

2023-10

So many areas to explore along the river bed. No restrooms or a facility. Just a place to park then a short walk down a ramp. Be sure to bring your own drinking water and carry your trash out. I have found so many cool fossils and unusual rocks. I also enjoy setting up to plein air paint and sketch. If you need drinks or food, there is a gas station, not far and also a local Dollar General in the town of Ladonia nearby.

Jax Medina

2023-05

This place is only a parking lot and washed out trail to the muddy Sulphur River. No picnic tables, no restrooms, no Dinosaur figures, a waste of time.

Stonie Crouch

2022-05

Bring your mud boots and a shovel cause you're digging for treasure! This little spot set off the beaten path is worth the detour. With a little effort and a little luck you can score a fossil, an arrowhead or even a shark tooth. The only issue I had was no vendors or drinks and it was hot!. They are currently revamping so I'm curious to see the improvements. Definitely coming back to this Texas gem.

Deborah Price

2023-06

Great place to look for fossils. Park consists of a parking area and pathway down to the riverbed. There are no restrooms or water. Bring anything you need with you and take everything home with you. It's best to pay attention to rain as pickings are better after the water rises and uncovers more, but make sure the water level has gone down sufficiently before planning a trip. It can also be quite muddy. Fun for kids too.

Katie Matott

2023-11

Very cool spot to walk around in! Be aware there is one porta potty at the entrance and no formal picnic benches or area, we found a spot to sit and eat at on some rocks

elsa1267

2020-05

It's a quiet place and get to see nature and also go hiking. Came down to the canyon is not wheelchair accessible, it is a steep climb up and down.

Shannon Richardson

2019-05

Field Trip #2 to Ladonia, TX to get fossils from the Sulphur Riverbed.Located closer to Paris Tx than to DFW, Ladonia Texas is a tiny town about an hour and a half Northeast of Dallas. The Sulphur river there is known for having fossils when the riverbed is dry. We visited Ladonia and walked in the riverbed looking for fossils. If you didn't know it, you'd miss the entrance to the park (we did). A small parking lot at the edge of a bridge is the only indication you've found the right place.Pull off into the parking lot and after walking through a grassy path you come to the edge of the Sulphur river. The climb down is steep but made easier by the installation of some really tall stairs. The steps are very deep, you have to almost sit down to reach the next step below.Upon reaching the riverbed, some 70 feet below the roadway, you will need to walk about half a mile away from the bridge to find fossils - but man alive, what fossils you find! We found enormous oyster shells, strangely shaped sandstone, what appears to be some fossilized mammal bone, random gem-like stones, chert/flint and plenty of shale. Under the bridge (which is really the only shade you find in the area) when you look up, you see the underside of the bridge is loaded with cliff swallow nests. The swallows swarm all around the bridge eating bugs and then returning to the nest to feed their babies.

Chris Rauch

2019-05

Great place to search for fossils. BYOB bring your own boots and tools no gift shop or concessions. Steep stairs no handicap accessiblity. Just raw riverbeds watch for flash flooding. In accessable during rainy times.

Brian Andersen

2021-05

Best outdoor, free adventure in the area. Easy access. You'll be amazed

sal1701

2023-06

Went out there yesterday (5.22.23) and found this jem. I'd probably go out there just about everyday if I didn't live so far...