At the Pits of the Pungo, visitors can search for and discover Miocene fossils for themselves. The Aurora Fossil Museum offers a different focus: exhibits and collection pieces. A fishing pier and a dedicated boating area, in turn, appeal to travelers interested in fishing, boating, or canoeing. When planning your trip, it makes a difference whether you would rather search for fossils yourself, view exhibits, or use access to the water.
Search for fossils and view finds
The Pits of the Pungo offer the opportunity to discover Miocene fossils on your own. Possible finds include the remains of ancient sharks, whales, bony fish, and corals. This gives you a concrete idea of the different types of fossils you might encounter while searching. The Pits therefore offer an active way to engage with fossils, while the museum’s exhibits provide a different kind of discovery.
The Aurora Fossil Museum was founded in 1976. Its exhibits include casts of a matching set of Parotodus benedinii shark teeth found in the surrounding area. The connection to the local find and the casts offer a distinctive view of the fossil world: instead of searching for yourself, you can view a specific matching exhibit. The two options therefore differ not only in location, but also in how you engage with fossils.
Another look at regional history
The Aurora Fossil Museum’s Cultural History Room has its own thematic focus. The collection there includes Indigenous and early American artifacts from Eastern North Carolina. So, alongside fossils, it also features objects connected to the region’s cultural history. If you are interested in these topics, you can consider the room as a distinct part of the museum’s exhibits.
Fossil Park and admission
Fossil Park is directly across from the main museum. Admission to the Aurora Fossil Museum and Fossil Park is free. If you plan to visit both, their close proximity makes planning easier. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.
Fishing pier, boat ramp, and canoe access
The Aurora Public Fishing Area is open to the public and has a fishing pier. The Aurora Boating Access Area is also open to the public; it has a boat ramp and canoe access. It also provides access to South Creek, a tributary of the Pamlico River. The options differ clearly: one centers on a fishing pier, while the other offers a boat ramp and canoe access.
If fishing is part of your trip, the fishing pier is a specific option to consider. If you are looking for boating or canoe access, you can consider the Aurora Boating Access Area. Access conditions may change, so check them before you travel. This way, you can keep the practical requirements in mind without treating the different options as interchangeable.
Choose a focus for your trip
When looking for a vacation rental in Aurora, you can first consider what you want your trip to focus on: searching for fossils yourself, exhibits and collection pieces, cultural history, or access to the water. The options cater to different interests and give you specific points to consider when choosing a destination. You can then check visitor information or access conditions for the activities you actually plan to do.
Discover more destinations: Chocowinity
Go to the main travel overview: Beaufort County.
