WHAT IS Penn Dixie?

Penn Dixie — a global geological treasure — is ranked as the #1 fossil park in the U.S. in a 2011 scientific study. At the site of a former cement quarry in Hamburg, NY, our visitors can collect and keep Devonian Period fossils including trilobites. Ready to dig? Check our Hours & Rates. What to bring? Read our Frequent Questions.

In addition, the staff at Penn-Dixie are also trained and able to offer the following Merit Badges:

• Astronomy
• Environmental Science
• Geology
• Mining & Society
• Nature
• Soil & Water Conservation
• Weather

They hope to have a page dedicated to Scouts on their website in the near future.

OPERATING HOURS

Penn Dixie is open daily from 9 am to 4:30 pm through September 6. We return to weekends-only until October 17. Penn Dixie has normal hours on Independence Day (July 4) and Labor Day (September 6). Each day, the first tour departs at 9:15 am and the final tour departs at 2:45 pm. The park is open rain or shine — see below for our lightning policy.

COSTS

Our group rate is $7 per person. One teacher/chaperone is included with every 10 registrants; additional teachers/chaperones are $10 each. This rate is based on groups of 10 or more when booked at least two weeks in advance.

LOCATION

Penn Dixie is located at 4050 North Street, Blasdell, New York 14219. Since some GPS units direct visitors to the wrong location, for best results enter ‘Penn Dixie Fossil Park‘ instead of our street address. Visitors frequently report that Apple Maps directed them elsewhere; Google Maps earns much better reviews.

From the NYS Thruway:  Take Exit 56, the Blasdell exit; after the toll booth, turn right on to Rt. 179 (Milestrip Rd); at the first traffic light turn left on to South Park Avenue (Rt. 62); proceed south on South Park Avenue for 1.2 miles to the traffic circle; enter the circle and turn right on to Big Tree Road; cross a single railroad track; at the first road on the right, Bristol; turn right on to Bristol Road; proceed to the end of Bristol; turn left on to North Street; the Penn Dixie entrance is directly ahead.