Frequently Asked Questions

A trilobite is a marine arthropod that ranged the shallow sea floors for approximately 270 million years. They first appeared around 520 million years ago, within what is known as the Cambrian Explosion and continued to thrive until their extinction within the Permian Period, around 250 million years ago. Their long reign was a product of their adaptability -- diversification of trilobites resulted in as many as 20,000 known species. Because of this great diversity and often perfect preservation within fine-grained rock, trilobites are one of the most popular fossils among collectors. The trilobite takes its name from its three longitudinal lobes (the central "axial" lobe and its left and right "pleural" lobes.

The fossils in our quarry are found in a limestone shale that cleaves easily into flat sheets. Fossilized trilobites lay nearly flat along the splitting planes of the shale. U-DIG Fossils can provide a hammer, or you can bring your own. If you desire to remove your own fresh rock, larger tools are available, though there is little need for this -- our staff uses heavy equipment to remove overburden and  expose fossiliferous layers for you.

The average visitor finds ten to twenty trilobites in a four-hour period. Experienced collectors will find many more. If you’re having trouble, friendly U-DIG personnel roam the quarry area and would be glad to assist in methodology or identification.

The most common species  of trilobites and other organisms found at the quarry can be found on this identification sheet, which we provide to visitors to our quarry.

It is possible to find rarer species not cataloged on this sheet -- indeed, there is the exceptionally rare possibility of finding fossils that have yet to be identified or discovered, as new discoveries are still being made within the Wheeler Shale. For this reason, always ask your U-Dig operator if you have a question regarding a find.

Of course, no appointments are necessary, but we do appreciate advanced notice for larger groups. U-DIG staff is on-site during regular business hours. Remember that groups of 15 or more receive a 15% discount. If you'd like to get a jump on your preparation, you can download here a copy of the liability waivers our visitors are asked to sign. 

U-DIG Fossils provides you with forty acres of the best trilobite collecting in the world. We expose fresh rock with an excavator on a regular basis.
– Hammers and tools to dig up and split the shale.
– Buckets to hold and to carry your fossils to your vehicle in the parking area.
– Fossil identification reference sheet.
– Digging instructions.
– Assistance in finding and identifying fossils.
– Clean toilet facilities.
– Shade and sitting area

It is advisable to bring a pair of gloves (garden gloves are sufficient), safety glasses and a light jacket in the event there is a change of weather. Remember to bring plenty of food and water. While U-Dig will provide buckets for collection of fossils, you will need your own containers (buckets or boxes and a few Ziploc bags for the loose specimens) to transport your fossils home.

The U-DIG Quarry is located in the House Range of the high Utah desert -- in the foothills south of Swasey Peak, near Antelope Springs. The elevation is about 6,550 feet (roughly 2000 ft. higher than Salt Lake City). Expect low humidity and thinner air. You will want to stay hydrated.

High temperatures in April are typically 60-75 Fahrenheit; May, 70-80; June, 85-95; July, 90-100; Aug, 90-100; Sep., 85-95; and Oct., 75-85. The weather can change quickly during any time of the year. We suggest having a jacket just in case. Mornings are always 10-20 degrees cooler. 

The last twenty miles to the U-DIG Quarry is a gravel road that is maintained with graders by the county. Most of the time, the road is in excellent condition.

At times, between gradings, the road will develop some washboard-type bumps in a few locations. The road is well-graveled. Even with extensive amounts of rain, the road will not get muddy.

Having a good spare tire, jack, and lug wrench is always a good idea when traveling on a gravel road.

We welcome pets! We do, though, require animals to be on a leash and for any droppings to be cleaned. For the well-being of your pet, be sure to bring additional water and a means for shade. In the high summer, the dark shale absorbs a lot of sunlight and can be hot to the touch, so booties can be a good idea.

Yes, you can! When you arrive at the quarry, smaller RVs can turn into the Quarry and park in a small parking area to the left, before the “Open” sign. You will then need to walk about 300 yards over to the office for assistance.

Larger RVs will need to pull over to the side of the main road just below the “Welcome to U-DIG” sign. Do not pull into the Quarry. Leave your RV there and walk to the Quarry office, about 500 yards.

When you are ready to leave, you can continue up the main gravel road, about 1/8 mile, to another connecting road. You can turn around at this location. Examine the Google Maps Satellite view for an overview.

Much of the land around the U-DIG Quarry is BLM or public land. You can camp anywhere you want on BLM land, but there are no areas for electrical or plumbing hookup. If you want to camp in the area, just pick a spot in any of the open areas below or above the U-DIG Quarry. We do not allow camping within the quarry itself.

We offer restroom access and have a limited selection of light snacks in our gift shop. No other services are available at the Quarry. Delta has the nearest food and gas. The City of Delta is 52 miles away.

U-DIG Fossils is a family-run business. We’re anxious for you to have a unique and rewarding experience in our quarry. Please call or e-mail if you have any questions. We’d be glad to help -- here’s our office address: 

U-DIG Fossils
P.O. Box 1113, 350 East 300 South, Delta, Utah 84624
Phone (435) 864-3638 Fax (435) 864-4294
E-mail: Shayne at shaynecrapo@gmail.com