What US States Have the Most Fossil Finds?

Globally, scientists have unearthed countless dinosaur bones; in the United States, paleontologists have found thousands of dinosaur bones. The real question is, which US states have the most fossil finds? Scientists have found many dinosaur bones in Colorado, Montana, Arizona, Wyoming, and California. Read on to learn about how many fossils we’ve seen in these states and some of the dinosaurs they belonged to!

Colorado

So far, scientists have unearthed over 300 dinosaur tracks and 1,500 bones in Colorado. Some of the many bones found here belong to well-known species such as:

• Tyrannosaurus rex
• Stegosaurus
• Triceratops

Fascinatingly, scientists found the first Stegosaurus fossil in this state; the species belonging to this fossil also became the state dinosaur. The Stegosaurus was a herbivore with large, spiked plates along its spine. Dinosaur National Monument, Dinosaur Ridge, and Garden Park Fossil Area are some of the best places for dinosaur lovers to check out in Colorado.

Montana

Montana is another hotspot for dinosaur bones, especially in locations such as Yellowstone National Park. In Montana, paleontologists have dug up bones belonging to at least 75 dinosaur species that once lived in the region. Moreover, scientists have found over 909 fossils. Some of the species that once lived in this part of the US include:

• Deinonychus
• Allosaurus
• Gryposaurus

The Maiasaura peeblesorum is another species that lived in the area now known as Montana. We shine a light on this species because it’s Montana’s state dinosaur. In the mid- to late-1900s, scientists discovered remains of this prehistoric animal.

Arizona

Through hard work and digging, paleontologists have discovered over 15 species of dinosaur in Arizona. Moreover, scientists have found over 147 fossils in this state. Most fossils found belong to theropods, meaning most dinosaurs that lived in this state were carnivores. Some of these species include:

• Chindesaurus
• Coelophysis
• Dilophosaurus

Sonorasurus is the state dinosaur; scientists found the first fossil of this species in 1994.

Wyoming

In Wyoming, scientists have unearthed over 1,000 fossilized remains. This state is the second most popular spot in the United States for finding dinosaurs. Some known species found here include:

• Ankylosaurus
• Diplodocus
• Triceratops

Like the other states we’ve mentioned, Wyoming also has a state dinosaur—the well-known Triceratops. While Wyoming is among the best places to discover dinosaurs, some of the top spots to learn more about prehistoric animals are the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, Fossil Butte National Monument, and Bighorn Basin Geoscience Center.

California

So, which US states have the most fossil finds? Out of all 50 states, the Paleobiology Database (PBDB) recognizes California as the state to uncover the most, clocking in at a mighty 1,988 fossils. Some of the many dinosaurs found in California include:

• Augustynolophus
• Albertosaurus

Augustynolophus is the state dinosaur—a perfect fit for the home of Hollywood, as it looks like a creature out of a sci-fi movie! In California, there are over 17 locations dedicated to teaching people more about the Mesozoic Era. Two of these places include Yosemite National Park and Dinosaur Farm.

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