KEMMERER GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Dig Into Deep Time: A Half-Day at Fossil Lake, Just Outside Kemmerer
A four-hour, guided quarry experience where you split fossil-loaded rock with provided tools, receive expert instruction, and keep the specimens you uncover.
Dig Into Deep Time: A Half-Day at Fossil Lake, Just Outside Kemmerer.
On private land near Kemmerer, Wyoming, Fossil Lake Safari puts you at one of the planet’s premier fossil beds: a high‑altitude quarry where dozens of species—fish, plants, insects, birds, reptiles and mammals—appear in the strata and guests are shown how to extract and identify them, keeping the fossils they find.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Hands‑On Quarry Work
Access to the Fossil Lake dig quarry comes with rock already loaded with fossils, plus hammers, splitting tools and on‑site instruction so you can learn to split rock and reveal specimens under expert supervision.
A Premier Fossil Deposit
The site yields dozens of species across plants, fish, insects, birds, reptiles and mammals, making it a singular place to see a broad slice of ancient life preserved in the quarry layers.
Keep Your Finds (With Important Limits)
Guests may keep the fossils they uncover; in rare cases where a specimen is appraised at over $100,000, royalties to the landowner apply—guests are also asked to treat the fossil‑bearing layers as a valuable and limited resource.
What the day feels like
What the Half‑Day Feels Like
Over a focused four‑hour window, expect a practical, hands‑on outing: arrive at the quarry, receive instruction on how to spot and split the fossil‑bearing rock, work with provided hammers and tools to open slabs, and get assistance identifying any finds so you can take them home as keepsakes.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this half‑day suits, and who should plan accordingly.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The operator runs the Fossil Lake Safari daily during the field season; check current hours and availability for the June 1–Sept 30 season.
Hammers and splitting tools are provided along with instruction, but come prepared for high‑altitude conditions—bring sun protection, layered clothing for cool mornings, and rain protection for possible thunderstorms.
The quarry is on private land; access and directions are provided by the operator—expect a drive of roughly 35 minutes northwest of Kemmerer and plan travel to and from the nearest services accordingly.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Fossil Lake Safari?
This is a half‑day experience lasting approximately four hours.
Can I keep the fossils I find?
Yes—guests may keep the fossils they uncover; in the rare case a specimen is valued over $100,000 royalties to the landowner are required.
What is included in the trip?
Access to the Fossil Lake dig quarry, rock loaded with fossils, hammers and tools to split the rock, instruction on finding fossils, and assistance in identifying finds are included.
Where is the quarry located relative to Kemmerer?
The quarry is located approximately 35 minutes northwest of Kemmerer, Wyoming; directions are available from the operator.
When is the dig season and what are the hours?
The operator is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the season that runs June 1 through September 30.
What weather or site conditions should I expect?
The quarry is at high altitude (about 7,300 feet); summers are typically sunny with hot afternoons but mornings can be substantially colder and thunderstorms or brief rain showers are common—guests should come prepared.