Fossil Coast believes geotourism inspires conscientious people to explore & discover the geoparks of the natural world in a sustainable way.
This is our Fossil Coast helpful geotourism guide to the 177 UNESCO Global Geoparks and 218 natural World Heritage Sites in over 50 countries across the globe whose landscapes have international geological heritage, and natural and scientific significance. Including the 266 parks with fossil resources in the USA and 94 parks with 4,700 known caves, and another 59 parks with known karst systems.
"When the community understands the beneficial role of geotourism, it becomes an incentive for wise destination stewardship...Enthusiastic visitors bring new knowledge home, telling stories that send friends and relatives off to experience the same thing—a continuing business for the destination".
Source: National Geographic
Albania
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe
Argentina
Ischigualasto / Talampaya Natural Parks
Austria
Australia
Flinders Range
Gondwana Rainforests of Australia
Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh / Naracoorte)
Belgium
Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System
Benin
Bolivia
Noel Kempff Mercado National Park
Brazil
Southern Canyons Pathways UNESCO Global Geopark
Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves
Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves
Central Amazon Conservation Complex 2
Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves
Cerrado Protected Areas: Chapada dos Veadeiros and Emas National Parks
Bulgaria
Canada
Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park
Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park
Chile
China
Dunhuang
Fangshan
Funiushan
Guangwushan-Nuoshuihe
Hexigten
Hong Kong
Huanggang Dabieshan
Huangshan
Jingpohu
Jiuhuashan
Keketuohai
Leiqiong
Leye Fengshan
Longhushan
Lushan
Mount Kunlun
Ningde
Qinling Zhongnanshan
Sanqingshan
Shennongjia
Shilin
Songshan
Taining
Taishan
Tianzhushan
Wangwushan-Daimeishan
Wudalianchi
Xiangxi
Xingwen
Yandangshan
Yanqing
Yimengshan
Yuntaishan
Zhangjiajie
Zhangye
Zhijindong Cave
Zigong
Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas
Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang, and Jiajin Mountains
Mount Sanqingshan National Park
Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park
Area de Conservación Guanacaste
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve *
Croatia
Papuk
Vis Archipelago
Cuba
Desembarco del Granma National Park
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
Cyprus
Troodos
Czech Republic
Bohemian Paradise
The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Odsherred
Vestjylland
Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Ecuador
Imbabura
Finland
Rokua
Lauhanvuori-Haemeenkangas
Saimaa
Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark
High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago
France
Beaujolais
Causses du Quercy
Chablais
Haute-Provence
Luberon
Massif des Bauges
Monts d'Ardèche
The pitons, cirques and ramparts of Reunion Island
Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands
Germany
Bergstraße-Odenwald
Harz, Braunschweiger Land
Swabian Alb
TERRA.vita
Vulkaneifel
Thuringia Inselsberg -Drei Gleichen
Muskauer Faltenbogen / Łuk Mużakowa
Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve
Greece
Chelmos Vouraikos
Lesvos Island
Psiloritis
Sitia
Vikos - Aoos
Grevena - Kozani
Kefalonia-Ithaca UNESCO Global Geopark
Hungary
Bakony-Balaton
Novohrad-Nógrád
Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst
Iceland
Katla
Reykjanes
India
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
Indonesia
Batur
Ciletuh - Palabuhanratu
Gunung Sewu
Rinjani-Lombok
Belitong
Toba Caldera
Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra
Iran
Qeshm Island
Ireland
Burren & Cliffs of Moher
Copper Coast
Italy
Adamello-Brenta
Alpi Apuane
Beigua
Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni
Madonie
Pollino
Sesia Val Grande
Rocca di Cerere
Tuscan Mining Park
Aspromonte
Maiella
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the
Japan
Aso
Itoigawa
Izu Peninsula
Mt. Apoi
Muroto
Oki Islands
San'in Kaigan
Toya - Usu
Unzen Volcanic Area
Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan
Mount Kenya National Park/Natural Forest
Kenya Lake System in the Great Rift Valley
Phoenix Islands Protected Area
Luxembourg
Mëllerdall UNESCO Global Geopark
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve
Malaysia
Langkawi
Mexico
Comarca Minera, Hidalgo
Mixteca Alta, Oaxaca
Whale Sanctuary of El Vizcaino
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve
Morocco
M'Goun
Netherlands
De Hondsrug
New Zealand
Whitestone Geopark
Te Wahipounamu
Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves
Norway
Gea Norvegica
Magma
Trollfjell
West Norwegian Fjords – Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord
Nicaragua
Rio Coco
Talamanca Range-La Amistad Reserves / La Amistad National Park
Coiba National Park and its Special Zone of Marine Protection
Peru
Colca y Volcanes de Andagua
Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary
Poland
Muskauer Faltenbogen / Łuk Mużakowa
Holy Cross Mountains
Portugal
Açores
Arouca
Estrela
Naturtejo da Meseta Meridional
Terras de Cavaleiros
Republic of Korea
Cheongsong
Jeju Island
Hantangang
Mudeungsan
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes
Romania
Haţeg
Buzău Land UNESCO Global Geopark
Russian Federation
Yangan-Tau
Natural System of Wrangel Island Reserve
Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary
Serbia
Djerdap
Slovakia
Novohrad-Nógrád
Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst
Slovenia
Idrija
Karawanken / Karavanke
Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
Spain
Basque Coast
Cabo de Gata-Níjar
Central Catalonia
Origens
Courel Mountains
El Hierro
Granada
Lanzarote and Chinijo Islands
Las Loras
Maestrazgo
Molina & Alto Tajo
Sierra Norte de Sevilla
Sierras Subbéticas
Sobrarbe-Pirineos
Villuercas Ibores Jara
Central Highlands of Sri Lanka
Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park
Central Suriname Nature Reserve
Sweden
Platåbergens UNESCO Global Geopark
Tanzania
Ngorongoro Lengai
Tajik National Park (Mountains of the Pamirs)
Thailand
Satun
Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries
Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex
Turkey
Kula-Salihli
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
Rwenzori Mountains National Park
United Kingdom
Black Country
English Riviera
Fforest Fawr
GeoMôn
Shetland
Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast
Dorset and East Devon Coast - Jurassic Coast
United States of America
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
Denali National Park & Preserve
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Fossil Butte National Monument
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Petrified Forest National Park
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
Waco Mammoth National Monument
Kluane / Wrangell-St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini-Alsek
Redwood National and State Parks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park
Uruguay
Grutas del Palacio
Vietnam
Dak Nong
Dong Van Karst Plateau
Non nuoc Cao Bang
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park