Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

You can go fossil hunting on this beach and live out your Jurassic Park dreams

Get your rockhounding on at these New Brunswick fossil beach destinations

OK, we mean you could live out your Jurassic Park dreams if they don’t involve being chased by dinosaurs while your life is in danger. More like the fun, “hey, I found a cool fossil” type of Jurassic Park dreams. But if that sounds awesome to you, too, then there are a few places to go rockhounding in New Brunswick, Canada.

A person digging in the rocks on the beach
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Places off the beaten path

For those who want to feel like they had to work for those treasures, these are the spots to make your fossil hunting more challenging.

Point Wolfe in the Fundy National Park

If you want to camp in a beautiful location surrounded by the Bluffs and then look for geodes, Point Wolfe is the place to be. The biggest draw for us is that if you stay there for rockhounding, you’ll also be close to some stunning covered bridges, like the Point Wolfe Covered Bridge, which looks like it’s straight out of Beetlejuice. While this location may be a bit more difficult to get to, the rewards are well worth it.

Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy

This one sounds like a winner all around. Not only could you dig for all kinds of geodes and gems, but the list of other amazing life experiences on Grand Manan Island is extensive. Watch the whales and check out cool lighthouses, museums, and festivals. It sounds like a place to move to, but start with fossil hunting.

A person holding up a rock that has a fossil imprint on it
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The popular places

Now, some people love to go where the action is. If that’s you, these are the spots to join the rest of the crowd in the fossil-hunting game.

Tin Can Beach in Saint John

Not only could you find precious stones like flint to take home as a souvenir while at Tin Can Beach, but if you stay in Saint John itself, you don’t even need a car to go rock hunting, as it’s all walkable. This is the place to go if you are an animal lover, as the opportunities to see wildlife are all over the place.

Cape Enrage on the Bay of Fundy

Don’t let the name fool you, as there’s nothing enraging about this stunning spot. Cape Enrage is where you’re most likely to find an actual fossil and where the beautiful Cape Enrage Lighthouse is located. You could go zip lining or visit old shipwrecks, so there’s a little bit for everyone to do.

The only downside to any of these spots is there is a thing called the Heritage Conservation Act that states if you think you found an actual fossil, you can’t touch it. There’s a whole protocol, so look it over before you go. Other than that, pack your backpacks, get your tent ready (or book that local bed-and-breakfast), and add gems, crystals, or geodes to your collection. Rockhounding in New Brunswick at these fossil beach spots will bring a little zen to your life and help you reconnect with nature.

Editors' Recommendations

Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
Venice just proposed these new regulations to combat overtourism (and you’re probably going to like most of them)
Check out these regulations before visiting Venice
Venice

In recent years, Venice has implemented various strategies to combat overtourism, including plans to require reservations and fees for day-trippers as well as the prohibition of large cruise ships. The city, which is known for its canals, is also contending with the impact of climate change, as it has experienced a sinking of over 5.9 inches in the past century. In 2019, Venice’s mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, attributed a significant flood that affected over 85% of the city to climate change.

In addition to these environmental issues, Venice has experienced overcrowding due to a large number of tourists visiting the area. Residents living in Venice have felt as though there is not a fair balance between the needs of visitors and those who call the city home. 

Read more
There’s a secret theme park in Arizona (and it will transport you to the past)
Have a yabba-dabba-do time at this theme park in Arizona
Bedrock City theme park in Arizona.

Forget about overcrowded theme parks like Disneyland or LEGOLAND. There are all sorts of cool, weird, and unique theme parks that need to be taken advantage of. If you grew up watching The Flintstones or have a child (or inner child) who is really into dinosaurs, a park in Arizona will transport you right back to the Stone Age. See how to ride with the family down the street to Bedrock City at Raptor Ranch.

Theme parks dedicated to the hit show
There have been a few theme parks across the U.S. bringing the Hanna-Barbera show to life.

Read more
Travel tips: One super easy thing you can do to keep your checked luggage from getting lost when you fly
Who knew a sticker could be such a big problem?
A piece of luggage sitting in the middle of an airport.

Some of us have a strategy to squeeze everything for the trip into our carry-on, not needing to check it in, so we never lose our luggage. Some of us don't want to look like a fool trying to get the suitcase into the overhead compartment and would rather grab it at baggage claim. 

But all of us want nothing more than our checked luggage to get to where we are going. To make sure you don't see an empty conveyor belt where your suitcase should be, remember this travel tip so your luggage gets to the same final destination as you do.

Read more