Ladonia Fossil Park
Ladonia, Texas
mosasaur teethammonitesexogyra oystersbaculitesshark teeth
Public land, rules apply · Free
Ladonia Fossil Park
The North Sulphur River channel cuts straight into Late Cretaceous marine beds, which is why Ladonia has produced mosasaur teeth, ammonites, baculites, and dinner-plate Exogyra oysters for generations of Texas collectors. The Upper Trinity Regional Water District rebuilt the site at its new FM 904 location with all-weather parking, a pavilion, and a paved path to the water. Stay downstream of the park — public access upstream toward Leon Hurse Dam is closed.
The card catalog
| What you can find | mosasaur teeth, ammonites, exogyra oysters, baculites, shark teeth |
|---|---|
| Access | Public land, rules apply — Free |
| Fees | Free public park, no permit. Operated by the Upper Trinity Regional Water District with the City of Ladonia. The official page does not publish a fee schedule or a collecting-limit rule, so confirm specifics with UTRWD at (972) 219-1228 or the City of Ladonia at 903-367-7011 before planning around them. |
| Season & hours | The park relocated during construction and now sits at 2242 FM 904, where the road crosses the North Sulphur River. No posted hours, but automatic gates may close after dark (a sensor lets you drive out). The river channel is unsafe when running high, so check conditions after rain — the best collecting and the worst danger both follow a storm. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Workable with kids thanks to the paved path down to the river, benches, and a covered pavilion, but the channel bottom is slick clay and loose rock. Boots and close supervision. Do not go upstream — public access toward Leon Hurse Dam and the mitigation area is closed. No camping, and no motorized vehicles outside the parking area. |
| Official source | City of Ladonia, Texas (official) |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Ladonia Fossil Park cost?
Free public park, no permit. Operated by the Upper Trinity Regional Water District with the City of Ladonia. The official page does not publish a fee schedule or a collecting-limit rule, so confirm specifics with UTRWD at (972) 219-1228 or the City of Ladonia at 903-367-7011 before planning around them. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Ladonia Fossil Park open?
The park relocated during construction and now sits at 2242 FM 904, where the road crosses the North Sulphur River. No posted hours, but automatic gates may close after dark (a sensor lets you drive out). The river channel is unsafe when running high, so check conditions after rain — the best collecting and the worst danger both follow a storm. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Ladonia Fossil Park good for kids?
Yes — Ladonia Fossil Park works for families. Workable with kids thanks to the paved path down to the river, benches, and a covered pavilion, but the channel bottom is slick clay and loose rock. Boots and close supervision. Do not go upstream — public access toward Leon Hurse Dam and the mitigation area is closed. No camping, and no motorized vehicles outside the parking area.