2022 DINO DIGS
Join us (and Hunter the Dino Lab) at our new dinosaur quarry in the Little Snowy Mountains. Approximately 150-million-years old, the bones we’re finding come from sauropod (long-necked) dinosaurs that lived in the world-famous Morrison Formation during the Late Jurassic Period. The Morrison Formation was home to some of our most famous and iconic dinosaurs like the sauropods Apatosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Diplodocus, & Camarasaurus; the plated and spiky-tailed Stegosaurus; and the meat-eating Allosaurus and Ceratosaurus. While the Morrison Formation is really well known in western states like Utah and Colorado, it is poorly understood here in Montana; and such northern exposures are practically unknown. We are the only museum working in the Morrison Formation here, so help us make and preserve new scientific discoveries!
For this dig, it’ll be the real outdoor experience, camping and all! But don’t worry, where we camp has a cabin with power, running water, washrooms/hot showers, and even WiFi. So you won’t be “roughin’ it” too hard. We’ll bring all of the digging equipment and gear you’ll need, and all of the chow to fuel your hard work; but each participant needs to bring their own camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, etc.). And if you have any dietary issues or restrictions, just let us know – it’s super easy to accommodate any dietary needs (as long as we know before grocery shopping…).
Our Little Snowy Mountains dig dates are:
June 20th – 24th (25% min. # of participants signed up)
July 11th – 15th (100% min. # of participants signed up)
August 22nd – 26th (50% min. # of participants signed up)
(*for each dig, we arrive the day before [Sunday] and leave the day after [Saturday]*)
In order to have these special digs, we HAVE to have a minimum of FOUR participants signed up. To learn more about this unique paleontological opportunity, email (dinosaur@itstriangle.com) or call us (406-654-5300) anytime!
We may also be hosting an additional program out of Malta where we will be search for fossils in the Judith River Formation north of town. Check back here for more info and to find out if we are able to host this additional program.
At this time there are no COVID-19 related State or County restrictions or procedures in Montana that participants are required to follow.
2021 dig photos:
How Does it Work?
For the 2022 Little Snowy Mountains dig, the cost is $1,000.00 per participant. All meals, digging equipment, transportation to and from the site, etc. is covered by the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum. All youths (under 18) must be accompanied by an appointed guardian. A non-participating adult can come along for half of the cost (ex: a family member that wants to come along with a youth to chaperone, but does not want to dig). For all dig participants, a $200.00 non-refundable deposit is required to book each reservation.
(photo from our 2018 Hell Creek Formation Edmontosaurus dig)
(our Director of Paleontology, Dr. Cary Woodruff, with pedal (foot) bones from a Tyrannosaurus found during our 2018 Hell Creek Formation dig)
Participants must be age 12 or older and able to hike short distances and sit on the ground. All minors must be accompanied by an adult. A 50% discount is offered to nonparticipating adults who accompany a participating minor. Note: Is your child younger than 12? Please go to the Museum’s “Junior Paleontologist Program.”
For reservations and more information, please email us at dinosaur@itstriangle.com or call us at (406) 654-5300.