Oakes Quarry Park
Fairborn, Ohio
silurian coralsstromatoporoidsbrachiopodscrinoidscalcite
Public land, rules apply · Free
Oakes Quarry Park
A former limestone quarry of about 190 acres that exposes one of the most diverse Silurian reef sections anywhere — corals, stromatoporoids, and brachiopods from a warm shallow sea roughly 425 million years ago. Fairborn permits collecting only from the areas signed along Fossil Trail, while the reef faces and quarry walls stay untouched. It is free, open daily, and one of the most accessible collecting sites in the Dayton area.
The card catalog
| What you can find | silurian corals, stromatoporoids, brachiopods, crinoids, calcite |
|---|---|
| Access | Public land, rules apply — Free |
| Fees | Free and open to the public with no permit or reservation. The park is at 1267 E. Xenia Dr.; Fairborn Parks & Recreation can confirm current collecting rules at (937) 754-3090. |
| Season & hours | Open daily, dawn to dusk. There is almost no shade on the old quarry floor, so aim for early morning or evening in July and August. Collecting boundaries are marked on site — read the signage at the trailhead before you start. |
| Kids | Family-friendly — Flat, easy walking on the quarry floor and a well-marked Fossil Trail. Teach the boundary before you start: collecting is limited to the areas the park signs designate, and the reef exposures and quarry walls are protected and must be left alone. |
| Official source | City of Fairborn Parks & Recreation (official park guide) |
| Last checked | Checked against its source August 16, 2026 |
Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
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Before you go
What does Oakes Quarry Park cost?
Free and open to the public with no permit or reservation. The park is at 1267 E. Xenia Dr.; Fairborn Parks & Recreation can confirm current collecting rules at (937) 754-3090. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
When is Oakes Quarry Park open?
Open daily, dawn to dusk. There is almost no shade on the old quarry floor, so aim for early morning or evening in July and August. Collecting boundaries are marked on site — read the signage at the trailhead before you start. Hours, fees, and access rules change. Verify with the operator or land agency before you go.
Is Oakes Quarry Park good for kids?
Yes — Oakes Quarry Park works for families. Flat, easy walking on the quarry floor and a well-marked Fossil Trail. Teach the boundary before you start: collecting is limited to the areas the park signs designate, and the reef exposures and quarry walls are protected and must be left alone.