Lilydale Fossil hunting is a self-guided tour and the caves are not open to the public. There are no restroom or picnic facilities in the Brickyard. 

Applications will be accepted beginning February 1st for for dates between April 1st and October 31st, weather permitting. 

• Park hours are from 7:30a.m. to 9:30p.m. Fossil hunting is only allowed during park hours.
• There are three ways you can obtain a Lilydale Regional Park Fossil Hunting Permit: 
  
  • 1st) Call the Permit Office at 651-632-5111
  • 2nd) Send your completed application by mail with your check to 1100 N Hamline, St Paul, MN 55108
  • 3rd) click on the following link to the  Lilydale Online Application page.   
• No permit will be issued without prior payment. 
• Permit holder is required to have a copy of their permit with them. 
• If faxing your permit, call the Permit Office at 651-632-5111 to make a payment..
• or emailing your application.  If mailing, please include payment with your application. All email applications can be sent to ParksPermits@ci.stpaul.mn.us. 
• Upon receipt of payment and a signed permit, a valid copy will be sent to the applicant. Permit holder is required to have a copy of the permit on location during the time of their tour.
• Permit is not valid until signed below by an authorized representative of the Department of Parks and Recreation. 
• The park user will take all means necessary to fully advise participants (and their parent or guardians if participants are not adults) of all activities that park user and above group wishes to engage in when entering Lilydale Regional Park for the purposes stated above.
• The park user warrants at all times, that full and adequate adult supervision will be provided for any minor persons the park user brings into Lilydale Regional Park for the above purposes.
• The park user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the City of Saint Paul from any and all claims of whatever kind or nature that may arise while the park user and/or persons acting under its auspices and control are on said property pursuant to this permit.  As part of said indemnification, the park user fully acknowledges that some of the conditions and locations within the Lilydale Regional Park area are hazardous to persons or property and park user specifically assumes the liability of the City of Saint Paul as such claims or injuries may arise to persons or property due to its unsafe conditions.
• A rain date will be granted if the Park Permit Office is notified prior to the end of the reservation date.

GROUPS OF  1 -  9:        Standard Rate: $10.00        Tax Exempt: $9.29

GROUPS OF 10-99:        Standard Rate: $25.00        Tax Exempt: $23.23

GROUPS OF 100-250:    Standard Rate: $125.00     Tax Exempt: $116.15

GROUPS OF 251-500:    Standard Rate: $175.00     Tax Exempt: $162.60

GROUPS OF 501-750:    Standard Rate: $325.00     Tax Exempt: $301.98

GROUPS OF 751-999:    Standard Rate: $575.00     Tax Exempt: $534.26

• Fossil Hunting Information Packet
• What are Fossils
• Types of Fossils Commonly Found
• 2013 Fossil Hunting Permit On-line Application  
• 2013 Fossil Hunting Permit Paper Application Please Note: For paper applications mailed in payment must be included in order to process. For applications faxed in, please call  651-632-5111 to provide your credit card number. Applications  will not be processed until payment is received. 
• Fossil Hunting Map
• Back to Permits and Rentals