Fossil Lake Safari - 2.5 hrs from SLC

This is the Field trip we have been waiting for all summer long! Unearthing 52 Million-Year-Old Fossils at Fossil Lake Safari in Kemmerer, Wyoming!

Fossil Lake offers a hands-On Fossil Hunting Experience. Kids 6 and under are free! They have group and private dig options, and the best part is, you get to keep what you find!

Unlike many fossil sites, Fossil Lake Safari allows you to dig and keep the fossils you find because they want everyone to have the opportunity to experience unearthing their own fossil. We worked for about 4 hours with a lunch break in the middle and went home with boxes full of 52 million year old fossils! 

The friendly and knowledgeable staff provide all necessary tools, including hammers, chisels, and gloves. After your dig, you can use tile saws to trim and prepare your specimens for display. .    

Fossil Lake Safari offers visitors the chance to discover exceptionally preserved fossils from the Eocene Epoch. The quarry is renowned for its abundant fossil fish, including species like Knightia and Diplomystus, as well as rare finds such as ancient reptiles, birds, and mammals. The fossils are remarkably well-preserved, with some retaining fine details like scales and fins.

The quarry is located about 30 minutes outside of Kemmerer, Wyoming, amidst the stunning landscapes of southwestern Wyoming. The area is rich in geological history, offering a glimpse into an ancient subtropical lake ecosystem. Visitors can also explore nearby attractions like Fossil Butte National Monument, which showcases an impressive collection of fossils from the same era.   

The little boys found some pretty awesome fossils, then we let them chip away on the discard pile while we searched for our owl fossil treasures.

We had our own site and shelf to stack our finds, then we piled up the large slabs to take to the saws to be cut down.
 

The wether was perfection! It was a little rainy when we arrived, but the sun came out shortly after and it warmed up quick. I recommend bringing layers. You are working with dirt and clay so you will be covered. Bring boots or old shoes and durable pants. 

There is no shade so a hat and sunglasses are a must as well.

If you don't have gloves and gear, they have some you can borrow, or they have new ones if you want to purchase your own.

We had already packed our big fossils when I remembered to take a group photo, so we all grabbed some smaller ones for a photo.

It was super fun trimming the fossils down to a manageable size.

The workers helped us cut out the fossils we found.

I lost count of how many fossils we came home with, but it was A LOT! We found some pretty incredible fish. But the experience alone was 100% worth the drive. The kids were begging to come back before we even left!

The kids did great on the 2.5 hr drive from SLC. And if you are wondering if these motion sickness glasses really work. 100% yes! Wells gets super sick in the car and usually ends up using a barf bag. These saved him.

We can't wait for you to try this experience with your own family. It would make a fun day date as well. Leave early pack a lunch, and make a day of it. Its 100% worth the drive!