Elrathia kingii, Asaphiscus wheeleri and Peronopsis interstricta are all fairly common and we found examples of each However, Bolaspidella housensis, Altiocculus harrisi, and Olenoides nevadaensis are quite rare. In a four hour period, hundreds of partial trilobites will be seen, and maybe 3-5 really nice examples can be collected. The trick is not finding a trilobite but instead finding that perfect specimen. Pickings are easy, all one needs to do is look at their feet, but if one prefers, they can remove new blocks of rock from the outcrop. For a small fee, amateurs and professionals can collect trilobites. About 32 miles west of Delta and 20 miles north on a maintained gravel road, is a small shed adjacent to a cliff face. U-Dig Fossils is probably the best known of these quarries. Today there are numerous private and public enterprises with land claims near Delta, Utah to collect these fossils. Subsequently from the 1880’s –1900’s Charles Walcott (born in Upstate New York and employed by James Hall) published many reports of the rocks and fossils of the Cambrian strata (i.e. In the 1870’s Army Lieutenant George Wheeler named a bowl-shaped area in the House Range the Wheeler Amphitheater and comprising the Wheeler Shale. Early geologists extensively studied the stratigraphy and paleontology of the region. TRILOBITES: Early in human history, necklaces made of trilobites were regarded by the Pahvant Indians as “protecting the body from sickness and weapons of death as long as a man’s heart is pure” (Robison, Babcock, and Gunther, 2015). Specifically, well preserved trilobites and beautiful topaz crystals can be collected. Not only are there 505-520 million year old fossils abundant, but also recent volcanism in the same region has left its mark with abundant rocks and minerals. Very thick shale and calcareous mudstones are widespread in Millard County, west-central Utah and contain some of the best Cambrian biotas in the world. The setting and geology are quite different than in western New York. Naturally, we took some time between visits to National Parks to do a little fossil and mineral collecting in Utah. Tammy and I are back from a vacation in the desert southwest. We want you to enjoy your visit and find plenty of fossils.Many thanks to Stephen Mayer for writing this collecting trip note for the August WCGMC newsletter and also for allowing me to post it my blog. All of our rock is fossil rich, regardless of size, shape or location. Please also note that we are not able to control the size of the rock as it comes out of the mountain and the rock that is there is the rock we are able to make available to our guests. Please be kind to our staff and be conscious of the incredible resource we are making available to the public. We also ask that you do not smash rock, or beat on it with your hammer. We expect our guests to have a great time and split the rock as thin as possible to find all of the fossils hidden within, and maximize their experience. The rock is a non-renewable resource and we do our best not to waste it. We do our very best to utilize the stone in our quarry and find every fossil. Private Dig Option for up to 10 people $600 Please note that visitors bringing pets to the quarry are only allowed to have their pets in the parking area and they must be kept on a leash at all times. We are located near Kemmerer Wyoming, just 65 minutes from Bear Lake, and Evanston and 2.5 hours from Salt Lake City and Park City and 4 hours from Yellowstone. At the quarry you can also find stingrays, shrimp, gar, paddlefish, amia, pike, diplomystus, knightia, and even turtles, crocodiles, bats, birds, ancient rhinos and camels, primates, and much more. This is a world famous quarry, well known for its fossil fish, and one of only two locations in the world where a complete 3-Toed Horse has been found. Think of it as your own fossil expedition or safari.

We have recently acquired the South Dempsey Quarry, in the Green River Formation and want to make it the most exciting destination in the world for families and everyone who loves fossils. We have the only quarry in the world where you have the opportunity to dig fossils and keep every fossil you find. American Fossil is giving you the opportunity of a lifetime.

Trilobite udig site