Unearthing the Past: Celebrate National Fossil Day 2026 with Montana’s Prehistoric Giants
Museum of the Rockies
Guest blog by Shelby Huber, Coordinator, Montana Dinosaur Trail
On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the nation celebrates its 17th annual National Fossil Day. Every year during Earth Science Week, paleontologists, educators, students, and fossil enthusiasts across the country come together to celebrate the incredible story of life on Earth preserved in stone.
Whether you are a lifelong dinosaur lover or just starting to explore our planet’s deep past, today is the perfect opportunity to marvel at Earth's geologic heritage and discover why preserving these prehistoric treasures matters.
What is National Fossil Day?
First established in 2010 by the National Park Service (NPS) in partnership with the American Geosciences Institute, National Fossil Day was created to highlight the scientific and educational value of paleontology and emphasize the importance of protecting fossil resources on public lands.
Conceptually proposed in 2009 by NPS senior paleontologist Vincent L. Santucci (often called the "Father of National Fossil Day"), the inaugural event kicked off on October 13, 2010, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Today, over 385 partner organizations, including museums, universities, government agencies, and science groups across all 50 states, participate in local events, virtual hikes, art contests, and educational programs.
Montana: The Ultimate Dinosaur Frontier
When it comes to fossil discoveries, few places on Earth can match Montana. Spanning rock layers from the Jurassic Period through the Late Cretaceous (66 to 150+ million years ago), Montana’s rich geologic formations, like the famous Hell Creek Formation, have yielded some of the most significant paleontological finds in human history.
From the first recognized dinosaur remains in the American West to complete apex predators, Big Sky Country is truly a kingdom of giants.
If you want to experience Montana’s fossil legacy firsthand, there is no better destination than the Museum of the Rockies (MOR) in Bozeman, Montana.
As a college-level division of Montana State University, an accredited Smithsonian Affiliate, and an official repository for state and federal fossils in Montana, MOR stands at the global forefront of paleontological research and education. It is also a star destination on the Montana Dinosaur Trail.
Highlights at MOR’s Siebel Dinosaur Complex:
- Montana’s T. rex (MOR 555)
Inside the world-renowned Siebel Dinosaur Complex, visitors can stand face-to-face with one of the few mounted Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons in the United States. Uncovered right here in Montana, MOR 555 is a landmark specimen that has provided scientists with unprecedented insights into the life, growth, and physiology of the ultimate predator.
- "Big Mike" the Bronze T. rex
Before you even step foot inside the doors, you'll be greeted by Big Mike—a life-sized bronze sculpture of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton modeled directly after MOR 555. Standing proudly outside the entrance, Big Mike is an iconic Bozeman photo spot and a tribute to Montana’s fossil discoveries.
- Groundbreaking Growth Series Displays
MOR is famous for its groundbreaking research on dinosaur ontogeny (how dinosaurs grew). The museum features extraordinary growth series collections of Triceratops showing how skull shape and horns dramatically transformed as these creatures matured from babies to massive adults.
- Cretaceous Crossroads & Rare Species
Explore fossils representing millions of years of Cretaceous life, including specimens like Daspletosaurus horneri, duck-billed hadrosaurs, and armored ankylosaurs that once roamed the ancient floodplains of North America.
- Bowman Dinosaur Viewing Lab
Want to see science in action? At MOR’s fossil preparation laboratory, guests can watch real paleontologists and preparators carefully clean, preserve, and study newly excavated Montana fossils through glass viewing windows.
Celebrate National Fossil Day 2026
- Visit a Museum or Park: Head to the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, MT, or any of the 15 facilities along the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Explore national park units with fossil resources like Dinosaur National Monument, Agate Fossil Beds, or John Day Fossil Beds.
- Become a Junior Paleontologist: Download the National Park Service’s free Junior Paleontologist activity booklet (available in English and Spanish) or check out the official NPS prehistoric coloring books.
- Join the Conversation: Share your favorite fossil photos, museum memories, or dinosaur facts on social media using #NationalFossilDay.
Happy National Fossil Day! Go out and explore the deep history under our feet!