How to Find a Fossil

Fossil hunting can sometimes feel like a grand adventure, full of uncertainty and the thrill of discovery. During a recent trip to Oregon, I found myself in that very situation, completely unprepared. Despite being passionate about fossil hunting on the East Coast, I hadn’t had time to research the Oregon coast before my trip. But, in true adventurer fashion, I decided to rely on one of my greatest skills—connecting with other people.

It all started in a quaint little gift shop. I casually mentioned to the girl behind the counter that I loved fossil hunting, fully expecting a blank stare in return. But to my surprise, she lit up. “Have you been to Seal Rock?” she asked. She wasn’t sure, but she thought she had heard of people finding fossils there. It wasn’t much to go on, but it was something, and so we set off.

Seal Rock was beautiful, but the hunt wasn’t going to be easy. We didn’t find fossils anywhere on the beach. I knew it would take more finesse if we were going to see fossils that day. The first person I approached was a woman speaking German, clearly annoyed at my attempt to engage her in conversation. She didn’t know anything about fossils, but I wasn’t deterred. A little later, I noticed another woman with a dog. She was friendly and mentioned another beach—Driftwood Beach—where she had found what she called “rockified shells.” We were getting closer!

We headed to Driftwood Beach with fresh hope but came up empty. After a long search, we decided to rest. As people began leaving the beach, I took the opportunity to ask if any of them were locals. If they were, I asked about fossils. The third person I talked to, a woman named Cathy, was the jackpot. She had a garage full of fossils, and she told me about a place called Moolach Beach, where she had made many of her finds. Cathy and her brother were lifelong fossil hunters, and they eagerly shared their knowledge with me. Moolach Beach was our next stop.

The moment we arrived at Moolach, I knew we were in the right place. The cliffs revealed sedimentary layers, and my excitement grew with each step. After walking about a mile, I spotted my first tiny snail shell fossil, in a chunk of clay. Another half mile and I found a small trove, proof that we had struck fossil gold.

This experience reminded me that fossil hunting isn’t always about knowing the right place beforehand—it’s about the journey, the connections, and the thrill of discovery. So if you ever find yourself in unfamiliar territory, don’t hesitate to ask questions, trust your instincts, and, most of all, enjoy the adventure. This is how you find fossils!