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Spend an evening in deep time: pry open Eocene shale, learn from a certified geologist, and watch the sun drop behind Fossil Butte on a private quarry tour. Perfect for curious families and science-minded travelers.
Spend an evening in deep time: pry open Eocene shale, learn from a certified geologist, and watch the sun drop behind Fossil Butte on a private quarry tour. Perfect for curious families and science-minded travelers.
Book with In Stone Fossils LLC
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by In Stone Fossils LLC · Kemmerer, Wyoming
Sunset Paleo Adventure is a private, hands-on fossil hunt in the Green River Formation near Kemmerer, Wyoming. Set in the Fossil Butte Member a few miles from Fossil Butte National Monument, this guided evening outing puts you on a private quarry where 52-million-year-old lake-bed shales preserve fish, plants, and insects in exceptional detail. The tour begins at the company’s gallery in Kemmerer at 3:30 p.m., then ascends gravel roads to a working exposure that feels very much off the map. You’ll meet a team that includes a certified geologist and experienced fossil hunters who teach field safety, basic excavation techniques, and how to read the stratigraphic layers. Guides explain the difference between the upper split fish layers, the mini fish layers, and the sandwich layers, and you’ll learn what makes these Eocene lacustrine shales so fossil-rich: fine-grained sediment, low oxygen bottom waters, and rapid burial that locked organisms in extraordinary detail. Over 5–6 hours you’ll hammer, peel, and split bedding planes under expert supervision, identifying scales, vertebrae, plant impressions, and occasional insect fossils. The private quarry experience keeps groups away from public crowds and allows more time at productive horizons; anything not scientifically significant is yours to keep, and the crew will wet-pack, cut, and prep finds for travel or arrange shipping if you prefer. As the work winds down, guides serve a simple field dinner and deliver one of Wyoming’s famed sunsets behind Fossil Butte. That light is a photographer’s dream: low sun illuminating layered shale and the distant plateau, while the color comes alive across the quarry. The itinerary—3:30 p.m. gallery meet, quarry work, meal, and wrap-up—also makes this ideal for families, school groups, and curious travelers wanting a meaningful outdoor science experience without a full-day commitment. Practical details matter here: guests should bring gloves, knee pads, sunscreen, and a reusable water bottle; AWD/4WD vehicles are suggested for the access road, though transport can be arranged. Pricing, minimums, and booking are handled through the operator’s reservation system; a portion of proceeds supports a local scholarship fund for academia. The guides adhere to Wyoming fossil-collecting rules, emphasizing ethical finds and scientific stewardship. Whether you’re a budding paleontologist or a family after an unforgettable sunset, Sunset Paleo Adventure connects you to deep time in a hands-on way. The private quarry, degreed guides, and a slow, contemplative sunset make this more than a dig: it’s a field laboratory that leaves you with original specimens, a sharper sense of Earth’s ancient lake ecosystems, and a story you can hold in your hands. Book well in advance during summer and ask guides about shipping options, accessibility, minimums, and family pricing to ensure a smooth, scientifically rich evening you’ll remember for decades to come.
moderate.
5–6 hours.
Moderate fitness; you should be able to kneel, lift small loads, and walk short uneven sections of quarry and road.
Families are welcome; children under 11 have a reduced rate but should be supervised—check operator requirements for minimum ages and guardian rules.
Most non-scientifically significant specimens are yours to keep; guides will flag anything of research importance per Wyoming rules.
Basic tools are provided and instruction is given, but bringing your own gloves and kneepads is recommended.
The tour meets at the Kemmerer gallery; guests may drive their own AWD/4WD or arrange transport with the operator—confirm at booking.
Operators monitor conditions and will reschedule or refund according to their booking policies; contact them directly for specifics.
Yes—guides can prep and ship finds for an additional fee; ask about packing, shipping costs, and customs if traveling internationally.
The Green River Formation preserves Eocene lake ecosystems about 52 million years old; Fossil Butte exposures have drawn collectors and scientists for generations.
The operator follows Wyoming collecting guidelines and emphasizes ethical removal, wet-packing, and reporting of significant finds while donating a portion of proceeds to a local scholarship fund.
In Stone Fossils LLC is a paleontology tour operator based in Kemmerer, Wyoming that runs guided fossil-dig experiences at the Green River Formation. The company offers four primary experiences: the Daytime Paleontology Experience with personalized one-on-one guidance; the Luxury Nighttime Paleontology Experience focused on upscale nighttime digs in productive beds such as the 18-inch Layer and sandwich beds; The Ultimate Fossil Dig Adventure, which combines guided excavations, exclusive access to specific fossil layers, hands-on preparation workshops, and luxury accommodations with curated dining; and the Baseline Nighttime Paleontology Experience, a six-hour dig where participants uncover ancient fish fossils and can keep their finds, with limited availability noted for the 2025 season. In Stone Fossils emphasizes hands-on excavation, trained guides, and educational value. Guides demonstrate safe excavation techniques and fossil preparation methods during fieldwork and workshop sessions. Trips are suitable for families, collectors, and individual enthusiasts seeking immersive paleontology activities. Fieldwork takes place on-site at the Green River Formation, a recognized Eocene fossil locality, and reservations are recommended when booking limited nighttime or season-specific experiences. By combining field excavation, guided instruction, and practical preparation workshops, In Stone Fossils provides authentic access to productive fossil layers while prioritizing safety, education, and responsible collecting practices.
Book with In Stone Fossils LLC