Bone Hunting in Wyoming: Find and Clean Animal Skeletons

Hunt for real animal bones off-trail and learn to clean them like a pro.

Bone hunting in Wyoming is a four-hour off-trail hike led by an expert bone hunter where you search for animal remains, learn to identify species and age from skeletal features, and receive instruction in safe, legal collection and cleaning methods. The experience includes van transport and covers which bones you can legally keep versus photograph. Professional cleaning and shipping of your finds is available for an additional fee.

The experience

This is a treasure hunt for animal skeletons, not a nature walk. You'll hike off-trail across fairly flat ground at nearly 7,000 feet elevation with a guide who runs the viral TikTok account "RollBones" and knows where forgotten remains lie. As you find bones, your guide identifies the species, sometimes the animal's age and cause of death, and crucially, which bones you can legally take home and which ones to leave or photograph only. The hike takes four hours and covers ground most people never reach.

After the hunt, you move to bone-cleaning instruction. Your guide teaches you the methods used in "vulture culture" (the practice of cleaning and preserving animal remains), so you can prepare your finds yourself. If you'd rather have them professionally cleaned and shipped, that service costs extra. Either way, you leave with knowledge of a skill few people develop and a collection of bones that tell a story about the animals that left them.

The van transport is included, and your guide speaks English throughout. You'll need moderate fitness for several hours of hiking on untracked terrain, and the high elevation means the air is thinner than at sea level. Bring water and wear sturdy boots.

What’s included

• Four-hour off-trail hike with expert bone-hunter guide.
• van transport.
• instruction in identifying species and age from skeletal remains.
• guidance on legal collection and permitting.
• hands-on bone-cleaning instruction.

Options for this experience

2 options

Bone hunt with an overnight stayGuide in English · Available from 13 Jun 2027Stay at the Bone House: I'll book you a hotel, or you can stay at my 3-bedroom house, which is decorated with bones. Use of bone-cleaning materials: while you stay at the house, you can keep cleaning your bones with my supplies, as I've shown you. Lunch is on me: pick any food place in the Kemmerer/Diamondville area, and that time won't count toward your tour hours. Ride to the fossil beds: I'll drive you there if you'd like to split the ancient fish fossils and keep them, for a separate fee. Pickup is included.

Bone Hunt: Find and Keep Bones, and Learn How to Clean SkeletonsGuide in English · Available from 1 May 2027Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 May 2027

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcome

Operated by Bone Hunter

Is this one for you?Choose the Bone Hunt option if you want to take your finds home and learn to clean them yourself, or pick the overnight stay if you'd like to extend the experience and explore the area more fully. The four-hour hike and high elevation mean you need moderate fitness and comfort with untracked terrain.

Top questions

What kind of bones might I actually find and keep on this hike?

Your guide identifies what you find in the field and tells you which species' remains you can legally collect. Some bones require permits before you can take them. Others you photograph and leave. The guide handles the legal side so you know exactly what you can bring home.

How difficult is the hiking, and what's the elevation like?

The terrain is off-trail but fairly flat, and the hike runs four hours. The elevation sits at nearly 7,000 feet, so the air is thinner than at lower altitudes. You'll need moderate fitness and should be comfortable hiking for several hours without a marked path.

Can I really keep the bones I find, or do I have to leave them behind?

You keep the bones your guide says are legal to take. Some species require permits, which your guide explains in the field. Others you can walk away with immediately. Your guide also teaches you which bones to leave so you follow wildlife laws.

What happens to the bones after I collect them?

You can clean them yourself using the methods your guide teaches you during the experience. If you'd rather have them professionally cleaned and shipped to you later, that's available for an additional fee.

Do I need any special gear or equipment for this?

Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring water. Your guide provides the expertise and transport in a van. No special bone-hunting equipment is required. The guide teaches you how to safely handle and collect what you find.