Posted in Wyoming Attractions October 02, 2022 by

You’ll Love Digging For Fossils At This Unique Historic Site In Wyoming

Millions of years ago, Wyoming was underwater! Near the Green River Formation, there are still thousands and thousands of fossils buried in the rock. One spot near Kemmerer offers public fossil digs, so you can take a piece of history home with you. The Fossil Safari at Warfield Quarry is one of the best places to find fossils in Wyoming and definitely deserves a spot on your bucket list.

The Fossil Safari at Warfield Quarry is home to one of the most unique adventures you can find in Wyoming.
Tripadvisor / TAKAluka
This unique family adventure is located just outside of Kemmerer.
Before going on your dig, visit the nearby Fossil Butte National Monument, just half an hour away in Kemmerer.
Flickr / Carol Jacobs-Carre
This historic site will teach you the history behind the Green River formation and help you understand what this landscape looked like millions of years ago, and why fossils can be found in so many parts of this state.
Virl Hebdon discovered his first fossil fish on his property with his son, Rick, in 1970. Since then, the fossil fish of the Green River Formation has continued to impress those who dig here.
Facebook / The Fossil Safari
The Fossil Safari is open from Memorial Day Weekend through September 30th, seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m..

They take cash or checks (no credit cards!) and it's affordable to dig for the day!
You don't need a reservation to dig here— someone's always at the quarry ready to send you on a prehistoric adventure.
Tripadvisor / Morenamia
All you need to do is show up — the Fossil Safari crew will lend you the tools you need to act like Indian Jones for the day.

You should still bring water, snacks, sunglasses and sunscreen, a hat, and gloves. Bring some bubble wrap and boxes to be sure your fossils make their way home safely!
There are dozens of different fish to discover — and a ton of other critters, as well! Almost everything you dig up can be taken home for your personal collection.
Tripadvisor / TP5002013
You'll be able to take home any fossils from common fish, like Knightia, Diplomystus, Phareodus, Mioplosus, Amphiplaga, and Priscacara! If you happen to dig up a rare specimen, like a stingray, turtle, crayfish, reptile, or mammal, it will stay with the quarry's historic collection.
Kids and adults of all ages will love chipping through the rock to find prehistoric treasures underneath.
Tripadvisor / lgvacantlot
There's nothing quite like experiencing history firsthand!

The Fossil Safari is the most family-friendly dig in the state, but if you’re looking for a more intense day out in the field, join the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis for a full-day dig at an active paleontology site.

Have you ever participated in the Fossil Safari? What do you consider are the best places to find fossils in Wyoming? Let us know in the comments!

Address: Farm Field Rd, Kemmerer, WY 83101, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best places to find fossils in Wyoming

October 07, 2022
Courtnie Erickson

What else should I know about the Fossil Butte National Monument?

At Fossil Butte National Monument, you will find some of the world’s best-preserved fossils. Here, you will find all types of fossilized fishes, plants, birds, mammals, and reptiles. While you can go on many hiking trails to search for fossils and capture incredible views, we highly recommend you stop into the national monument’s visitor center to see quite a variety of fossils. In fact, there are more than 3,000 fossils on display here, including a 13-foot crocodile. This is one of the best places to find fossils in Wyoming.

What other hidden gems in Wyoming should I check out?

While Fossil Butte National Monument is certainly one hidden gem in Wyoming that deserves your attention, there are many other incredible landmarks and interesting places that you should add to your bucket list. The Red Desert, for example, is a unique 9,320-mile-wide desert in south-central Wyoming. Some of the desert is on private land, but there are public areas that you can visit. Check out the Killpecker Sand Dunes that are here. These are some of the largest living sand dunes in North America.

Sinks Canyon State Park is another area of Wyoming that doesn’t get the attention that it deserves. This state park is found at the foot of the Wind River Mountains. You’ll want to visit and check out the sinks and then “The Rise” of the pool, which is about 0.25 miles down the creek. This state park is also an outdoor lover’s paradise with so much to do for the entire family including fishing, camping, and hiking.

Address: Farm Field Rd, Kemmerer, WY 83101, USA

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.