The article discusses the change in approaches to the organization of geological field training at St. Petersburg (Leningrad) State University from the last third of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. On the basis of historical evidence, data on field studies of students in the pre-revolutionary period, during the restoration of geological training in the post-revolutionary period, in the pre-war and post-war years are given. The great role of professors A. A. Inostrantsev, V. F. Pchelintsev, P. A. Pravoslavlev, S. S. Kuznetsov, G. Ya. Krymgolts, G. S. Porshnyakov, B. P. Barkhatov, lecturer A. F. Lesnikova in the development of educational field training for future geologists is emphasized. The transition from conducting practices in small groups in different regions, mainly in connection with the implementation of production tasks, to the organization of field training according to unified programs at stationary training camps is traced.