Of all the things you’d expect to find in the Mountain State, fossils make a great deal of sense. From the geologic wonder known as the Appalachian Mountain Range, it seems plausible that many such fossils would be pushed up and exposed throughout the state. Yet, places where they’re known to be extremely prevalent and where YOU (or anyone) can dig for them are few and far between.
You may be both delighted and shocked to learn that just west of Wardensville (located in Hardy County) there is a quarry — literally on the side of the road — that’s known among avid fossil hunters as being extremely rich with fossil material.
Google Maps
There are no fees, no managing parties… it’s just a pull off at an old quarried hillside where you can pull up fossils at least 250-million years old.
Wikipedia/Moussa Direct Ltd.
The word is, you don’t really even have to dig, they just fall out of the hillside on their own with the natural movement of the soil due to rain and wind.
Flickr/Curtis Abert
Of course, you’re still welcome to dig, just be mindful and leave the place as close as possible to the way you found it, so that others can discover the goodness you’ve already found.
Google Maps
If you’d like to go fossil hunting in this roadside quarry, it’s relatively easy to find. Just take highway 48/259/55 west out of Wardensville. After two or three miles, turn LEFT onto OLD Highway 55. As soon as you crest the first hilltop, the quarry will be on your right. If directions always seem to get you turned around, then no worries: here’s a link to a Google Map that marks the spot.
Google Maps
Bring a clean set of clothes so that afterward you can stop in to one of the charming restaurants in Wardensville to refuel before hitting the road back home. There are several tasty options, like the Lost River Trading post (shown below) and the Quarter Mile Diner.
TripAdvisor/BonsterMC
Are you a fossil hound? What a fun activity and day trip for the entire family. Do you know of other great places in the Mountain State where you can dig fossils? We’d love to know!
Google Maps
Wikipedia/Moussa Direct Ltd.
Flickr/Curtis Abert
Google Maps
TripAdvisor/BonsterMC
Wardensville, WV is located in the Panhandle of the Mountain State. As a mere point of reference, it’s 3.5 – 4 hours from both Charleston and Wheeling and a mere one hour from Martinsburg. (Note, there are no facilities at this roadside fossil site.)
For another unusual thing to do here in WV, head to this incredibly weird hot dog stand that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen…
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
