There’s An Awesome Fossil Safari Hiding In Wyoming And You’ll Want To Visit

Typically, when people go on safari, they're on the hunt for live animals. In Wyoming, however, there's an awesome safari experience that takes you on a search for prehistoric creatures from millions of years ago.

A few hours spent at the Fossil Safari, operated by FossilEra Adventures, is addictive. The quarry is so overflowing with fossils of prehistoric birds, insects, fish, and other marine life that you're practically guaranteed to find more than one. Plus, these relics are exceptionally well-defined and complete, providing trophies you'll be proud to take home.

Who knew the high desert on the western side of Wyoming was hiding an awesome treasure-trove of fossils?

That's where you'll find the Fossil Safari - about 12 miles northwest of Kemmerer.

Digs start at the end of May and run through the summer. Hours and announcements are posted on the site's Facebook page. You don't need to make reservations or even bring your own tools. Everything is provided. Just show up and start searching for fossils.

The spot is considered part of the Green River Formation, a geologic area that is a stunningly detailed record of prehistoric life from millions of years ago.

Fossil Safari is essentially a quarry, where layers and layers of "varve" have built up over eons.

Varve is like rings in a tree trunk. Each year, another layer of sediment builds up, preserving whatever is in those layers.

The mud and clay in the Green River Formation eventually hardened to become the sandstone and limestone that's so familiar in this part of Wyoming.

It's been estimated that the varve in this formation represents an uninterrupted record of nearly 6 million years.

The quarry crew breaks off chunks of lime and shale and deposits it in huge piles.

Visitors select a few slabs...

...and go to work splitting them, one layer at a time.

It's not difficult work - almost anyone can do it.

The payoff is amazing. The fossils at Fossil Safari are some of the most detailed and complete found anywhere...

...and there are loads to be found.

You might find one of the abundant fish fossils...

...or a plant or insect imprint...

...or the remains you find might be more rare, like a crocodile tooth.

Coral, crabs, clams, and a variety of other sea life are on display.

Dig as long as you like to find as many fossils as you can.

Visitors say one of the best things about this safari is that you get to take home your trophies.

Fossil hunters are allowed to take home all of the fossils they find. Staff at the quarry will help trim and clean them. Here's what you can expect when you spend a day on Fossil Safari:

Have you gone on safari at Warfield Fossils? Did you dig up anything amazing? What other places in Wyoming do you enjoy searching for fossils?

If you prefer the type of safari that involves shooting pictures of live animals, you'll want to put this Epic Wyoming Wild West Safari on your bucket list.