Shark Tooth Creek

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As Alabama residents, we’re lucky to have access to some of the most unique geological and historical sites in the country, and one that truly stands out is **Shark Tooth Creek** in Aliceville, AL. Imagine digging for **70-million-year-old shark teeth** hundreds of miles from the Gulf Coast—this landlocked outdoor adventure park makes that extraordinary possibility a reality. It's an essential destination for families, scout packs, and school groups looking for a blend of fun, outdoor activity, and hands-on paleontology.

This destination is renowned for its guided excursions into a local creek where fossils from the Cretaceous Period—a time when much of Alabama was under a shallow sea—are easily found. But it’s more than just a day trip; Shark Tooth Creek also offers **camping and outdoor amenities**, making it a fantastic base for a full weekend of exploration. Visitor feedback confirms its status as a great spot, with one satisfied Cub Scout pack reporting a **"cool adventure"** on "really clean well maintained grounds" where they found **"tons of teeth and fossils."** It promises an educational and exciting trip you simply won't find anywhere else in the state.

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## **Introduction / Overview: Digging into the Cretaceous in West Alabama**

**Shark Tooth Creek Outdoor Adventures** is a privately owned and operated facility near Aliceville, Alabama, dedicated to providing a unique, hands-on fossil hunting experience alongside basic outdoor recreation. The core attraction is the opportunity to wade into a creek bed and discover fossilized shark teeth and other marine relics dating back to the late Cretaceous Period (over 66 million years ago), when this area was an ancient ocean shoreline. This makes the experience not only fun but highly educational, illustrating Alabama's deep geological history.

The facility caters heavily to **group visits**, including scout packs, school field trips, and family reunions, and the activities are generally led by the owner/tour guide, Ken Owens, who is known for his enthusiastic and energetic style. Visitors typically begin at a central pavilion before being transported via a **"Shark Tooth Creek Express"** (an open-air trailer or hayride) to the creek beds. In addition to the main fossil hunt, the property is set up for complementary outdoor activities, including basic camping. The overall experience is designed to be a blend of high-energy fun and genuine scientific discovery, guaranteeing that guests—even those on short excursions—will find a handful of ancient souvenirs to take home.

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## **Location and Accessibility: A Convenient West Alabama Adventure**

Shark Tooth Creek is conveniently located in the rural landscape of Pickens County, easily accessible via a state highway, making the drive straightforward for Alabama residents. The official address is **24114 AL-14, Aliceville, AL 35442, USA**.

The location on **Alabama Highway 14 (AL-14)** places it well within reach of the state’s population centers:

• It is situated just south of the town of **Aliceville**.
• The campground is approximately **40 miles west of Tuscaloosa**, making it a relatively easy day trip or weekend getaway for residents of the Tuscaloosa metro area and the University of Alabama community.
• It is also accessible for travelers coming from Mississippi, given its close proximity to the state line.

As the adventures are typically run by appointment only, visitors should ensure they have called ahead and received specific directions or meeting times before relying solely on GPS, especially since the facility is located along a state highway in a less-developed area.

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## **Services Offered**

While primarily an outdoor adventure destination, Shark Tooth Creek offers foundational services and facilities to support both day-use and overnight visitors:

• **Guided Fossil Hunting Tours:** The primary service, offering guaranteed finds of **Cretaceous-era shark teeth** and other fossils.
• **Group Accommodations:** Specializing in hosting groups, including **Cub Scouts, school groups, and private parties**.
• **Basic Camping:** Overnight camping is available, allowing groups to extend their stay and enjoy the natural setting.
• **Pavilion Facilities:** A central pavilion is available, complete with **restrooms, showers, cooking facilities, and picnic tables**—essential for group preparation and cleanup.
• **Canoeing and Swimming:** The property offers opportunities for **canoeing, fishing, and swimming** in the lake or creek, depending on conditions.
• **"Shark Tooth Creek Express" Transport:** A fun hayride or open-air trailer ride provides transport from the pavilion to the creek hunting site.
• **Local Guidance:** Visitors benefit from an **educational talk** by the host, explaining the geology and the type of fossils they will find.

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## **Features / Highlights**

The unique appeal of Shark Tooth Creek lies in its rare blend of recreational activity and educational opportunity:

• **Guaranteed Fossil Finds:** The business guarantees that visitors will find ancient shark teeth (from species like crow and mackerel sharks), making the trip a highly successful and rewarding experience.
• **Hands-on Paleontology:** The ability to find fossils dating back to the **Age of Dinosaurs** right here in landlocked Alabama is a massive, unique feature.
• **Clean and Maintained Grounds:** Customer reviews highlight the "really clean well maintained grounds," which speaks to the care taken in the facilities, especially crucial for overnight camping groups.
• **Educational and Fun Host:** Mr. Ken, the owner, is frequently described as "awesome" and goes **"above and beyond"** to ensure children have a wonderful, memorable, and educational time, keeping them engaged and laughing.
• **Variety of Outdoor Activities:** Beyond digging, the site offers a full outdoor experience with **camping, fishing, swimming, and canoeing**, appealing to a broader range of outdoor enthusiasts.
• **Easy Creek Hunting:** The teeth are found in the creek beds where water from heavy rains naturally dislodges them from ancient rock settlements, making them relatively easy to spot on or near the surface (with some sifting).

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## **Contact Information**

Since visits to Shark Tooth Creek are **by appointment only**, contacting the facility in advance is mandatory to secure your booking and confirm current pricing and hours of operation.

• **Address:** 24114 AL-14, Aliceville, AL 35442, USA
• **Phone:** (205) 373-2605
• **Mobile Phone:** +1 205-373-2605

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## **What is Worth Choosing Shark Tooth Creek?**

For Alabama families, educators, and youth groups, **Shark Tooth Creek** is worth choosing because it provides an **unparalleled, high-value educational adventure** that is both exciting and affordable.

**The undeniable core value is the fossil hunting.** Where else can you tell your friends you found a 70-million-year-old shark tooth in Alabama? This experience is not only guaranteed but is packaged with the kind of high-energy enthusiasm that makes learning fun for children. The combination of an ancient geological site with easy accessibility and a high probability of finding souvenirs creates an instant, tangible connection to history for all participants.

Furthermore, for those planning group trips, the option for **overnight camping with supporting facilities** (showers, restrooms, cooking area) transforms a great day trip into a full, memorable weekend campout. This makes it an ideal, self-contained destination for Scout troops and large family groups looking for a unique place to bond and explore. The positive feedback from groups that stress the clean grounds and the host's dedication confirms that the experience is well-supported and executed. For a truly unique Alabama outdoor adventure that delivers on its promise of discovery, Shark Tooth Creek is the premier choice.

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