Fossil Dig in Utah: Collect Your Own Trilobites

Unearth 500-million-year-old trilobites you keep

A 2-hour fossil-digging class at a working quarry near Delta, Utah, where you collect your own museum-quality trilobite fossils from Cambrian shale layers with tools and expert guidance included. The quarry sits about an hour west of Delta and draws visitors specifically to dig rather than observe. Service animals are welcome. The work suits all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Fossil hunting at the quarry

• Drive to the quarry
• Meet the operator
• Receive instructions and tools
• Collect fossils with guidance

The experience

You drive to the quarry and meet your guide, who hands you the tools and walks you through where and how to extract fossils from the 500-million-year-old shale. The quarry is one of the richest Cambrian formations on Earth, which is why the trilobites you find are museum quality, not fragments or common specimens, but the kind worth keeping. You're not watching a demonstration or listening to a lecture. You're doing the work yourself, sifting through layers and learning to spot the shapes and edges that signal a fossil worth extracting.

The 2 hours covers instruction, digging, and collection. You leave with the fossils you've found, which is the whole point. This isn't a tour where you see things and move on. The guide shows you the techniques that work in this particular formation, so you're not just lucky. You're learning how paleontologists actually find these things. The quarry's location, an hour west of Delta, means you're working in one of the places on Earth where these ancient organisms are still emerging from the rock.

What’s included

• Entrance fee to the quarry.
• digging tools.
• expert instruction on fossil extraction and identification.

Options for this experience

2 options

Military/Utah Res/Senior Disc.No fixed timeMilitary personnel, Utah residents, and seniors must show valid identification on the day of travel to receive the discount.

Quarry Access lasting 2 hours09:00

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

Before you book

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 14 Nov

AgesAdult (17 to 69 years) · Senior (70 and older) · Youth (7 to 16 years) · Child (under 7): free

GroupUp to 200

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by U-Dig Fossils

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to do the work yourself rather than watch someone else dig, or if you're collecting a specific specimen to take home. A military, Utah resident, or senior discount is available at checkout on the standard 2-hour option.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 16 years); Child (under 7): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly are trilobites and why are they valuable?

Trilobites are marine arthropods that lived over 500 million years ago and went extinct long before dinosaurs. The ones you'll find here are museum quality because this Cambrian formation is so rich in well-preserved specimens. They're the kind collectors and institutions actually want, not broken pieces.

Do I need any experience or special fitness to dig for fossils?

No experience is necessary: the guide teaches you everything. The work suits all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health since you'll be bending, reaching and working outdoors for the full 2 hours.

Can I really keep the fossils I find?

Yes. You collect your own fossils during the session and take them home. That's what makes this different from a museum visit. The specimens you unearth are yours to keep.

How far is the quarry from Delta, and do I need to arrange my own ride?

The quarry is about an hour west of Delta, Utah. You'll need your own transportation to get there. The entrance fee and tools are included, but transport to the site is not.

What should I bring or wear for a 2-hour fossil dig?

Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and closed-toe shoes with good grip. Bring water and sun protection if you're sensitive to either. Food and drinks aren't provided, so plan accordingly if you'll be hungry after.