devonian fossil gorge

Jenxit

I thought this was really neat to see 375 million year old fossils. The fossils are not bones, but of sea crustaceans type things. You can walk around in the gorge to find fossils and there is a guide that points out places to search. I am glad I took the time to go out there.

modemo

An excellent example of fossils at a beautiful location. Good fall picture site. I like the lack of crowds and the wooded walkways. View of reservoir quite nice

snickersbunny

My son and niece loved getting out of the car and walking through the gorge to find and identify the fossils. Great family activity.

725michaelz

Great open area of limestone fossils in a creek bed. The numbered markers point out key sights, but are not clearly labeled.

wfgjr

If not for Trip Advisor, we would never have known about or found the Devonian fossil gorge.This was an enjoyable morning outing after breakfast and before shopping.The entrance plaza has excellent descriptive plaques explaining the gorge, and the 1993 and 2008 floods that washed away so much soil and limestone sediment from the centuries to expose the underlying fossils from this ancient sea floor.In the summer, go early in the day and have good sunglasses. The sun can really heat up the limestone and give you a lot of reflected glare. Also wear shoes with good traction as the walking is quite uneven and your ankles will get a rotational workout.

KristinaH54

This place is beautiful and so unassuming. If you want to walk or hike, the setting is gorgeous but if you want to expand your horizons and learn something while enjoying the great outdoors this is the spot. Who knew that 300 million year old fossils can be found in the Midwest? Check it out.

bruced670

Take a slow stroll through the gorge and you will find millions of fossils. It is so amazing as you walk over the rocks to see so many fossils. You can’t collect or take any fossils with you, but you can take a many photos as you like!

Alyssa309

It's always fun running around here looking at fossils and climbing rocks. It's a good, free outdoor activity. Just be careful - the rocks can be slippery. It's not really handicap accessable either.

icityrules

I'm originally from Iowa City and remember the floods that went over the spill way which unearthed all this. It was neat to see originally and over time with everyone walking over the area just not the same. If you have never been here then go see it, but not something you will probably go check out again unless you maybe are just as the Coralville Res swimming, boating, camping etc...I do like to inspire people to travel and give people ideas for things to do on my fb page Duano's Travel-Picture Expeditions and especially things in Iowa/ Iowa City. I just feel Iowa City has many other things worth checking out before you go here

518KG

We stopped here after a long day in the car, and we were not disappointed. The gorge/ river bed is packed with little fossils everywhere. It's fun to find them yourself and roam around seeing them "naturally." They have a nice little placard to show you what to look for and it's a lovely way to be outside and kill some time.

LukeP754

This place is very neat but also not the only place to look at fossils. It is however the high traffic area where people take the fossils they have found. Knock it off! You are ruining it for those who come after you. If you want to fossil hunt go to the outcroppings anywhere in Iowa, they are the same but not in an area designed for the benefit of others.

JE729

The flood of 1993 did a tremendous amount of damage to a number of structures. However the waters which overran the spillway exposed a Devonian Fossil Gorge. Probably every school kid within 100 miles came to see it after it had been discovered. It is now open with clear markings and well worth a visit.

tricias269

Thought this would an interesting trip for my kids to go to. While older one thought it was sort of interesting, younger two ages 10 and 8 were bored. You do have to look close for fossils, markers were not easy to find. I love this type of thing, but it was a bit of a let down.

Skuppy

If you are in the area and are into geology this is a great place. Nice hike great place to let the kids run. There was (before the flood in 08) an interpretive display to help identify the fossils. I would imagine it's been rebuilt by now. Once you have a good idea what to look for head Lake McBride and look around. The coral the area is named after is everywhere, much of it unearthed by the flood of 2008.

2saraht2

I have lived in Iowa City for 20 years and take all out of town guests to see this small outcrop of rock that is covered with Devonian fossils (older than the dinosaurs). It is so different seeing fossils in their natural place rather than behind a glass in a museum. There are scattered fossils all around the gully with one small area of layers of rock covered in fossils You will need a car to get there, but once you are there , you don't need a guide, there are good explanatory posts all around the main fossil bed.