Ladonia Fossil Park
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Ladonia Fossil Park
Ladonia Fossil Park
The temporary Ladonia Fossil Park was closed March 3, 2025 for on-going construction on the Leon Hurse Dam.
Upper Trinity relocated the Ladonia Fossil Park to a temporary location east of FM 2990 and north of the North Sulphur River in the spring of 2021. As construction on the Leon Hurse Dam continues, water is backing up in the North Sulphur River channel causing the temporary park to be inaccessible. Construction crews will also be clearing the land nearby. The temporary park will be completely covered by the lake when filled.
While the temporary location is closed for safety reasons, Upper Trinity is already working to build a new, improved fossil park in a permanent location on FM 904 downstream of the Leon Hurse Dam. Construction of the new park is expected to begin soon.
New, Permanent Fossil Park Coming Late 2025
Upper Trinity recognizes that the Ladonia Fossil Park is one of Ladonia’s most popular and visited attractions. Upper Trinity is coordinating with the City of Ladonia and Ladonia Chamber of Commerce for the new, permanent fossil park, which will have improved amenities. The new park is expected to open this fall, and will provide a parking area to accommodate school buses and will have easy access to the riverbed, as well as additional amenities. By offering access to different locations on the river, the park relocation will provide opportunities for additional and untapped fossil discoveries. More information about the new location and features of the new park will be shared as its opening approaches.
Fossil hunters are encouraged to check the Ladonia Fossil Park Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/739220792768941/) for current information on fossil hunting in the Ladonia area.
Fossil Finds
Photos credit: Cheryl L. McClure
Palaeontologic/Archeologic Protocols During Lake Construction
Statement Regarding Archeologic and Palaeontologic Protocols During Construction of Lake Ralph Hall:
For the construction of Lake Ralph Hall in Fannin County, Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) operates under a permit with both the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The permit requires careful handling and study of artifacts, fossils, and archeological items. All contractors working on Lake Ralph Hall job sites are trained on standard operating procedures for when a suspected artifact is detected.
UTRWD has contacted AR Consultants (ARC) to manage and execute handling, studying and recording artifacts and fossils found onsite. ARC is a highly regarded expert in archeology and paleontology and has worked on numerous sites in Texas and nationally. To date, hundreds of archeologists have conducted investigations within Lake Ralph Hall. Crews average about 50 in the field at a time. Findings will be compiled into final reports in compliance with the Texas Administrative Code Chapter 26. Redacted versions protecting site locations will be available to the public once the reports are filed with THC. Artifacts and records related to these studies will be curated in perpetuity at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos in accordance with the Texas Administrative Code Chapter.
Since the beginning of construction on Lake Ralph Hall, UTRWD has worked with the Perot Museum to identify, extract, and/or study significant fossil finds. This includes the 2022 discovery of a Tylosaurus on a section of the North Sulphur River owned by UTRWD. UTRWD worked with Perot Museum paleontologists to extract the specimen for further study at the museum.
Contact Info
Have questions or want more info?
- Join the “Ladonia Fossil Park” Facebook page for a community with answers about other fossil hunting locations nearby.
- Call the Ladonia Chamber of Commerce at (903) 266-1473.
New Fossil Dig Exhibit at Northeast Texas Children’s Museum
Parts of northeast Texas were covered by a sea some 145 to 65million years ago, where giant reptiles and fish lived and hunted. Mighty Mosasaurs, 40-foot-long aquatic reptiles, ruled the deep sea, and Xiphactinus, a 20-foot-long fish that hunted other fish, reptiles and birds, were common sea creatures. The Columbian Mammoth also roamed the plains of North Texas some 420,000 to 11,700 years ago.
Bones from these sea creatures and more recent animals have been found by fossil hunters along the North Sulphur River near Ladonia in southeast Fannin County.
The exhibit provides children the opportunity to “dig” for fossils, similar to visiting the Ladonia Fossil Park. Fossil hunting is an exciting adventure. It’s like stepping into a time machine where you can discover animals and plants that lived on earth thousands to millions of years ago.
Whether you’re a teacher, parent or fossil enthusiast, visiting the new exhibit is like taking a time machine to the prehistoric past, to learn about life in North Texas millions of years ago.
The new exhibit is sponsored by the Upper Trinity Regional Water District, Lake Ralph Hall, the Perot Museum, City of Ladonia and the Ladonia Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the Fossil Dig exhibit, visit https://netxcm.com/.