Full-Day Dinosaur Digs Program
Eager to dig for Jurassic dinosaurs in Western Colorado? We are the perfect introduction to paleontology field work!
Our Full-Day Dinosaur Digs Program offers an exciting introduction to paleontology field work. Our curator of paleontology will give participants an orientation at Dinosaur Journey in Fruita, Colorado before departing on a scenic drive to Mygatt-Moore Quarry where excavations will begin! At noon, participants can enjoy a picnic lunch and an optional informative hike of Trail Through Time. After finishing excavation work at the quarry, you’ll beat the summer heat with a tour of Dinosaur Journey Museum’s Prep Lab. There, you will learn about how fossils are cleaned, repaired, and prepared for future display. This Full-Day Dinosaur Dig includes admission to Dinosaur Journey, so be sure to check out our museum exhibits and museum store before heading home!
What to Expect at a Full-Day Dinosaur Dig
7 years old is the minimum age to participate in our Full-Day Dinosaur Dig Program. Guests ages 16 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. All participants must pay the participant fee in order to go to the quarry.
This is a beginner-friendly experience! Our paleontologists will provide all the training and tools you need to have a safe and educational adventure. Fossil bones of the giant Apatosaurus and the flesh-eating theropod Allosaurus are common in the quarry. Active research takes place at Mygatt-Moore Quarry each summer, with new findings being regularly published in scientific journals.
Our Full-Day Dinosaur Digs Program operates from the morning to early afternoon, and Western Colorado summers can be intense. Therefore, expeditioners should prepare to dress for hot outdoor conditions. We recommend bringing a wide-brimmed hat, sturdy shoes or hiking boots, sunscreen, bug spray, and a 32 oz. water bottle. Water and sports drinks will be provided on site.
As this is a full-day experience, we will provide picnic lunches. After registering for a Full-Day Dinosaur Dig, we will email you information about setting up your lunch order and sending in your medical waiver.
Please note that all participants must complete a medical waiver before participating in any of our Dinosaur Digs Programs.