How to Visit the Devonian Fossil Gorge in Iowa

If we hadn’t spent a decent amount of time in Iowa already, we probably wouldn’t have known the state had a fossil site. When you spend more than a day in a place, you start to find the quirky stuff you may not have otherwise.

The Devonian Fossil Gorge in Iowa City is a geological point of intrigue that you probably wouldn’t expect in this part of the country. I know we didn’t.

Don’t be as ignorant as we were about the scientific importance of this site with this guide to how to visit the Devonian Fossil Gorge.

There are fossils in Iowa.

There are even places where you can collect fossils in Iowa. The state’s geological history spans millions of years, and you’ll find evidence of that all over Iowa.

The best place to find fossils in Iowa is the Devonian Fossil Gorge in Iowa City. While you won’t see dinosaur bones at this site, you will see some of the best evidence of marine life that once called the region home.

The little guys can be just as interesting.

Note: If you’re already in Iowa City, the gorge is an easy add-on to your Iowa itinerary. You can get there within a 15-minute drive of most of the city’s most popular attractions.

It’s also just over half an hour from Cedar Rapids. That’s how we got to the gorge.

A Brief History of the Devonian Fossil Gorge

The bedrock at the Devonian Fossil Gorge was formed around 375 million years ago during the Devonian Period. At that time, the region was covered by a shallow, tropical sea.

Fun fact: The Devonian age is also known as the “Age of Fishes” because of the diverse aquatic life found in these waters at the time. You’ll see some of the shelled creatures and evidence of the ancient corals on your visit.

As the years wore on, ancient aquatic life left behind their fossilized remains in layers of sedimentary rock and limestone.

What you see here today has somewhat of a less exciting history. The fossils were left exposed not because of some ice age, but a series of floods that tore away at the original bedrock and widened the canyon.

The first round of floodwaters came in 1993. The water level behind the Coralville Dam at Coralville Lake, a manmade lake fed by the Iowa River, rose four feet over the spillway. The water poured into the canyon, tearing away at the bedrock below.

In 2008, another round of flooding poured into the gorge, wearing away at the canyon even more aggressively. The power of the water basically carved out the fossil site we see today.

That’s not to say the gorge didn’t see this level of wear and tear back in the age of the fossils.

Around 10,000 years ago, the gorge would see regular surges from the Iowa River valley thanks to water from the melting Des Moines Lobe.

Fun fact: That’s a series of glaciers that don’t exist today following generations of warming climates and changing landscapes.

READ MORE: Love destinations that offer some mystery? While in Iowa, check out the real Field of Dreams.

Things to Do at the Devonian Fossil Gorge

We didn’t do the Coralville Lake Visitor Center because it was closed for maintenance following a recent flood, but if you’re able, I’d recommend starting there.

You’ll learn more about the significance of the site and see examples of things pulled out of the gorge.

Once you’ve arrived at the fossil site itself, you can go a few different ways. Go right for large samples taken out of the gorge and images of what you’ll be on the lookout for below.

There’s a small exhibit at the site, too, where you can read more about how the gorge was formed and the types of critters who called this region home.

You can then climb down into the gorge to find your own fossils. We explored at our leisure, but you can also use the online brochures available from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Brochures are also available at the Devonian Fossil Gorge visitor center.

If you go that route, look for hexagons that mark points of intrigue in and around the gorge. Here are a few highlights:

• Stop 1: This is the start of your self-guided tour. The monoliths around you are made of limestone. Your guide will tell you about dunkleosteus, an armor-plated fish of over 30 feet in length that roamed these waters.
• Stop 3: Keep your eyes peeled for Hexagonaria, a type of six-sided coral, and favosites, a type of marine coral that is also quite popular in Wisconsin. The fossil remains resemble what the seafloor may have looked like back in the day.
• Stop 4: You’re on the hunt for crinoids now. These marine creatures resemble sea lilies, but they’re closer to anemones and starfish. Look for both their tentacles and their stems.
• Stop 5: If you love Bugles, try to find the solitary horn corals at this stop that resemble the corn chips. If you don’t love Bugles, they’re fun to spot anyway. They’ll be anywhere from less than an inch to several inches in length.
• Stop 12: This is the entrance to the River Walk Trail, a short hike of just over half a mile along the river. Try to think about the work necessary to rebuild this area multiple times over the years, as it would have been affected by flooding.

Tips for Visiting the Devonian Fossil Gorge

Most visits to the Devonian Fossil Gorge are self-guided, but you may be able to arrange a guided tour with the staff at the Coralville Lake Visitor Center.

Note: I’d recommend calling ahead if you’re interested at (319) 338-3543.

Here are a few more tips for the most pleasant visit:

• The gorge is free and open 6am to 10pm daily. You likely won’t need more than about an hour here, but that depends on your level of nerdiness.
• No, you can’t dig here. In fact, it’s illegal to take fossils home with you without a permit. Don’t disappoint me and make the local news.
• Try to time your visit outside of the summer months. We visited in the fall and it was ideal, with few other visitors at the gorge.
• If you must visit in the summer, get there early before things get too warm. The bedrock is exposed to the sun, which means you will be, too.
• Wear comfortable shoes. You won’t be going on too aggressive a hike while you’re here, but you’ll need to navigate faults and cracks along the way.
• If you’re visiting with fossil superfans, consider bringing a magnifying glass. I see all kinds of teachable moments possible here, especially on a family trip.
• Dogs are allowed at the Devonian Fossil Gorge. Just make sure you clean up after them and keep them leashed. They should also be spry enough to handle potential cracks in the bedrock’s foundation.
• Get up close and personal with the rock. You may not think this place is made for social media, but get at eye level with the bedrock and you could surprise yourself.

READ MORE: We love a good fossil site. Learn about Colorado’s Florissant Fossil Beds next!

Where to Stay Near the Devonian Fossil Gorge

We visited the site from Cedar Rapids, but Iowa City offers the most efficient access to the Devonian Fossil Gorge.

Use the map below to check out your options for accommodations:

The Devonian Fossil Gorge is worth visiting.

While it may not look as impressive as some of the bigger fossil sites around the United States, a closer view of the bedrock reveals generations of ancient history.

That’s a pretty cool thing to see and search for and a fun stop if you’re already in Iowa City.

Love Midwestern travel? Check out these guides:

• How to Visit Wisconsin’s Cave Point County Park
• Take a Trip to Little Switzerland in New Glarus, WI
• How to Plan Day Trips from Tulsa, OK
• Top Reasons Why You Should See Door County
• Things to Do in Very Fun Cleveland, Ohio

Visiting Chicago along the way? Read these, too:

• Chicago’s Logan Square: One of the Best Areas
• A Guide to the Best Chicago Pizza
• Top Activities for Chicago’s Winter Months
• The Pros and Cons of Chicago Living
• A Neighborhood Guide for Humboldt Park

Want to see more?