The Fossil Sites page covers preserved plant traces, layered deposits, and the strict rules around collection and disturbance within the park.
Several small fossil localities stay intentionally vague on public maps so curiosity does not become damage.
Where Fossils Occur |
Most known fossil-bearing layers appear in exposed sediments, stream cuts, and older mapped deposits rather than dramatic cliff faces. |
Protection Rules |
Collecting or removing fossils is prohibited. Even loose fragments help staff understand the context of a site and are more valuable in place than on a shelf. |
Interpretation |
Rangers use fossil sites to explain how climate, water, and shifting landforms shaped the valley long before the modern park existed. |