If you’ve ever visited a natural science museum, chances are you’ve seen some fossils. Sure, they’re neat, but it’s hard to really be interested in something behind a glass case that you can’t really interact with. But what if I told you there was a place where you can dig up fossils that have been buried underneath the sand for 300 million years…and keep them for yourself? Even better, what if I told you it was completely free? There IS one such place, and it’s right here in Texas. Mineral Wells Fossil Park is a fun, educational activity for the whole family that won’t break the bank – or tap into it at all, for that matter.

The park used to be the City of Mineral Wells' landfill, which was closed in the early 1990s. Since then, erosion has revealed fossils dating back over 300 million years.
TripAdvisor/HoustonFootprints
Some of the species include sea lilies, urchins, clams, oysters, corals, arthropods, and primitive sharks, among others. And whatever treasures you find are all yours! That's right - as long as you plan to keep them for personal use only, you can take home whatever you dig up.
TripAdvisor/Cory L.

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Hours are dawn to dusk from Friday-Monday, and admission is totally free. So not only do you get to keep your findings, but you get to do so at absolutely no charge. I can't think of a much better way to spend the day.
TripAdvisor/Enloe M.
And unless you're a paleontologist, chances are you might need a little help identifying the fossils you discover. Luckily, there's a handy little billboard at the entrance that will help you do just that. Take a look:
TripAdvisor/HoustonFootprints

Here’s an inside look at some of the treasures you might find:

The park is located at 2375 Indian Creek Rd, Mineral Wells, TX 76067. For more information, check out their website.

Have you ever been to Mineral Wells Fossil Park? Are there any other hands-on nature attractions in Texas that are worth a visit?

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2375 Indian Creek Rd, Mineral Wells, TX 76067, USA