What Can I Find

The most common fossil found at Mineral Wells Fossil Park are the stalks of crinoids (sea lilies).  While crinoids may look like weird plants, they are actually animals.  There are likely dozens of species found here, each with their own design and ornamentation.  Some even have spikes.

Click photos to zoom.  Photography and diagrams by Lance Hall.

Fossils found at Fossil Park crinoid stalk crinoid columnal Cyclocaudex crinoid columnal Pentaridica crinoid columnal
Found at Fossil Park Crinoid Stalk Crinoid Columnal Cyclocaudex
Crinoid Columnal
Pentaridica
Crinoid Columnal
Complete Crinoid Crinoid Diagram Petalodus - Shark Tooth Trilobite Trilobite Diagram
A Complete Crinoid Top Crinoid Diagram Petalodus
Shark Tooth
Trilobite Trilobite Diagram
Archaeocidaris Floricyclus Crinoid Columnals Punctospirifer Brachipods unidentified fossil possibly Rhombopora Bryozoa
Archaeocidaris Floricyclus
Crinoid Columnals
Punctospirifer Brachipods unidentified Rhombopora Bryozoa
possibly
Neospirifer Brachiopod Cyclocaudex Crinoid Columnal Apographiocrinus Crinoid Cup Straparollus Goniasma - Snail Gastropod
Neospirifer
Brachiopod
Cyclocaudex
Crinoid Columnal
Apographiocrinus
Crinoid Cup (calyx)
Straparollus Goniasma
Snail Gastropod
Petalodus - Shark Tooth Pentaridica - Crinoid Columnals Unknown Crinoid Cup Orthoconic Nautiloids possibly a Cyclocrista
Petalodus
Shark Tooth
Pentaridica
Crinoid Columnals
Unknown Crinoid Cup Orthoconic Nautiloids possibly a Cyclocrista

Equipment

Small zip bags or nail aprons are good for small finds and keeping things organized.

Knee pads or patches are recommended for crawling around.

Planning Your Visit

This is a fairly primitive site, so be sure to bring a lot of water with you. During the hot summer months visiting in the early morning and evenings is highly recommended. There is a new shade structure, but it is still a good idea to bring an umbrella with you for shade while digging. The park has primitive restrooms and no running water.

Precautions

Enter and exit collecting area at designated points only. Area has dangerous drop offs, steep slopes and loose soil.

Encounters with dangerous insects/animals are possible.
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Mineral Wells
Parks and Recreation Department
940-328-7803

Established with assistance from the
Dallas Paleontological Society
www.dallaspaleo.org

Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce

For more to do and places to stay in Mineral Wells, contact the Chamber of Commerce - 940-325-2557
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