Check out our most commonly asked questions.
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Of course, no appointments are necessary we do appreciate advanced notice for larger groups. U-DIG staff is on-site during regular business hours.
Groups of 15 or more receive a 15% discount.
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Unlimited trilobites! 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. Please bring a container (buckets or boxes and a few Ziploc bags for the loose specimens) to transport your fossils home.
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The U-DIG Quarry is located in the House Range of the high Utah desert. More specifically, it is in the foothills south of Swazey Peak near Antelope Springs. The air is dry, meaning low humidity. The elevation is about 6,550 feet. By comparison, the average elevation in Salt Lake City is 4,300 feet.
High temperatures in April are typically 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit, May 70-80, June 85-95, July 90-100, Aug. 90-100, Sep. 85-95, and Oct. 75-85. These are just average temperatures. 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. All temperatures are given in Fahrenheit, not Celcius.
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Dogs are allowed at the quarry if they are on a leash. Be sure to bring extra water.
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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.
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There are no organized camping areas by the U-DIG Quarry. Much of the land around the U-DIG Quarry is BLM or public land. You can camp anywhere you want on BLM land. However, the camping is primitive camping only. If you want to camp in the area, just pick a spot below or above the U-DIG Quarry.
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No other services are available at the Quarry. Delta has the nearest food and gas. The city of Delta is 52 miles away.
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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. (Please note, this is not the location of the Quarry. See above for directions to the Quarry.)
U-DIG Fossils
P.O. Box 1113, 350 East 300 South, Delta, Utah 84624
B Phone (435) 864-3638 Fax (435) 864-4294
E-mail: Shayne on shaynecrapo@gmail.com -
A book called “The Traveler’s Guide to Rocks and Fossils In and Around Millard County” is available for $2 from the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 866, 76 North 200 West, Delta, UT 84624. E-mail dacc@millardcounty.com.
Warfield Fossil Quarries lets you dig for your own fossil fish in Wyoming.
U-DIG is featured on Atlas Obscura, a collection of the world’s most interesting places