Traildust Theropod Advanced Two-Day Dig Experience
Break out the hammers & chisels with us to excavate fossils of top predator Allosaurus on this two-day advanced dinosaur dig!
Date and time
Location
Dinosaur Journey Museum
550 Jurassic Court Fruita, CO 81521Refund Policy
Agenda
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Orientation at Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita, CO
8:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Depart Dinosaur Journey
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Arrive at the Fruita Paleo Area & Hike to Quarry for Excavations
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Picnic Lunch
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Resume Excavations
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Close Quarry & Return to Dinosaur Journey
3:00 PM
Tour of Paleo Prep Lab at Dinosaur Journey Museum
About this event
- 1 day 7 hours
The Museums of Western Colorado presents our 2024 Dinosaur Digs Program!
This expedition is for those who like a challenge! Fossil bones of the theropod Allosaurus are plentiful at the site, but they are embedded in a hard sandstone. We will be breaking out the hammers and chisels to excavate these bones from a top predator of the Jurassic.
The minimum age for our Advanced Dinosaur Dig program is 8 years old. All guests 16 and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. All participants bust also complete and return a medical waiver before participating in any of our Dinosaur Digs Programs.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous. Work requires moving equipment, using hammers and chisels on hard sandstone, moving rock and dirt in excavation and quarry cover daily, and prolonged sitting with repetitive work on small objects. Our quarry site is located about ¼ mile from parking area atop a ridge – equipment, tools, water, etc. must be carried in and out in packs and on foot daily. Excavated fossils must be packed out by crews on foot. There are steep ledges at the quarry, please follow crew instructions for a safe and exciting dig experience. We will have water to refill bottles, but this will be located at the parking area, not in the quarry.
What to Bring: Expeditioners should dress for working outdoors in summer: bring a wide-brimmed hat, sturdy closed-toed shoes or hiking boots, sunscreen, a camera, one or two water bottles (32 oz recommended), and bug spray. Long pants are recommended, but not required.
Please note that lunches are included with our Full-Day Dinosaur Digs Program. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to fill out your preferred lunch order, note any food allergies, etc. For this dig experience, please fill out your lunch order twice to ensure you get the meal of your choice on both dinosaur dig days.
Refund Policy:
•Cancellations prior to 30 days in advance of the expedition date will be refunded at 80% of the dig/expedition cost (total cost, less the 20% non-refundable deposit).
• Cancellations 15 days prior to the expedition date will be refunded at 50%.
• All cancellations within 15 days of the expedition date and all no-shows forfeit full price, and no refunds or credits will be issued for unused portions of the Paleontology Expeditions and Tours.
• If the Museum cancels the expedition due to weather or any other reason we will do our best to make alternate arrangements, reschedule your expedition, or refund your registration in full.
• Please note that Eventbrite's ticketing fees are only refunded under certain circumstances. Please reach out to us to learn more.
For questions regarding refunds, please contact us at info@mowc.co with your registration information and dinosaur dig date.
Frequently asked questions
No. All of our digs take place on public lands, where fossils are protected by federal law. Participants on our digs are allowed to dig under the museum’s collection permit; and all collected fossils are returned to the Museums, so that they are available to research and view for everyone!
No. We require everyone age 16 and under to have a guardian and responsible adult attending. Everyone who goes to the quarry must pay our program fee.
No. You can register 1 member of your family and then sign up the additional members on the waitlist and hope for a cancellation! In the event there isn’t a cancellation though, we will only refund your registration fee 80%. Sorry! The waitlist is only activated once the Dino Dig is completely full.
Maybe! We can’t guarantee what you will see, but we can guarantee you will be working alongside paleo professionals in a quarry that has been actively worked for more than 35 years! Our Curator of Paleontology published new research from our quarry last year based off recent findings.
Be ready! You will be out in the heat with bugs, digging in the dirt. Please be prepared for temperatures frequently above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, standing, stooping, walking on uneven surfaces, and using tools. We have shade tarps, and you will have access to Gatorade and water throughout the day.
Yes! Museum admission is included with your Dinosaur Dig fee.
We only offer our dinosaur digs program in the summertime due to staff availability and seasonal weather conditions. In 2024, our dig season has been extended, and we will be operating from June through September!