Visit

Gray Fossil Site & Museum

Welcome to the Gray Fossil Site & Museum! Step into the fossil hall, peek inside the paleontology labs, and join a tour of the fossil site for an up-close look at how we uncover the past.

Visitors are welcome to participate in daily programming offered by our partners at the Hands On! Discovery Center and to explore Gray Fossil Site and Hands On! exhibits. See below for our hours of operation. For further details about admission, programs, or other inquiries, please visit the front desk or contact the Hands On! Discovery Center.

For further details about admission, programs, or other inquiries, please visit the front desk or contact the Hands On! Discovery Center.


Group Tours


Take your class or group on a field trip to the Gray Fossil Site & Museum, where active research happens every day. The museum offers a variety of guided and self-guided educational tours designed to meet the curriculum needs of preschool through college groups in a multitude of STEM fields. We also provide opportunities to meet museum scientists and see our researchers in action. 

School Groups

  • Our partners at the Hands On! Discovery Center offer several options for field trips for schools and other youth groups:
  • The Stellar STEAM Tour includes interactive programs in all Hands On! exhibit halls.
  • The Fossil Finder Tour focuses on paleontology programs and exhibits.
  • The Dual Discovery Tour combines the STEAM and Fossil Tours.
  • To register for a field trip or to find more information, visit the Hands On! website.


Behind the Scenes Paleontology Tour

Older learners looking for a more in-depth experience might consider this behind-the-scenes tour of the Gray Fossil Site & Museum facilities. In this program, one of our paleontologists will lead your group on a tour of the fossil site and museum labs where our scientific work takes place. It’s a great opportunity to learn about paleontology, geology, and ancient history in the Appalachian region.

  • Ages: high school and older.
  • Maximum group size: 20 people.
  • Available Wednesdays through Saturdays between 9:30am and 4pm.
  • $12 per person
  • Limited availability. Must book in advance. 
  • Contact Matthew Inabinett to register: inabinettc@mail.etsu.edu

Policies

Firearms and other weapons are not permitted on museum property.


As part of ETSU, the museum is a tobacco-free area. Smoking and use of other tobacco products are not permitted inside museum buildings or entrance ways.


No pets are allowed inside the museum. Service dogs are welcome.

  • Accessibility
    All visitors are welcome. Our staff will work to accommodate visitors with disabilities in navigating the museum and accessing programs and services.
  • Parking
    Accessible parking spaces are available in the parking lot outside the main entrance, as well as in the additional parking lot behind the annex building.
  • Entrances
    The museum is wheelchair accessible. Power assist doors are located at the museum’s main entrances, and all public floors are accessible via elevator.
  • Wheelchairs
    One manual wheelchair is available for guests on a first come, first served basis. Visitors are also welcomed to bring their personal wheelchairs or other locomotory devices.
  • Special Offers & Discounts
    A $1 discount is available for seniors, military personnel, and AAA members.
    Admission is free for ETSU students and staff with valid ID and any teacher with valid teacher ID.
    The Hands On! Discovery Center is part of the ASTC Passport Program. Members of participating museums may be eligible for free admission. See the ASTC website for more information: https://www.astc.org/passport/