Kids Dig offers children a real dinosaur excavation experience near Belle Fourche, SD. Guided by experts, kids learn fossil hunting and preparation on private land, creating lasting memories and a passion for paleontology.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for children with basic physical fitness; involves light walking and kneeling.
Wildlife
History
Belle Fourche is historically known as a center for railroad expansion and cattle ranching, key to the American frontier.
Conservation
Paleo Adventures promotes sustainable fossil collecting practices, ensuring minimal impact on protected land and educating youth about preserving natural history.
Paleo Adventures
Kids Dig offers children a real dinosaur excavation experience near Belle Fourche, SD. Guided by experts, kids learn fossil hunting and preparation on private land, creating lasting memories and a passion for paleontology.
Paleo Adventures is a field-based paleontology outfitter based in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. The organization offers hands-on fossil hunting trips on private ranches and in the Hell Creek Badlands. Programs include Kids Dig, two-day and four-day Explorers Tours, the 1st Annual Dino Kids Camp (June 20th - 22nd), and four-day Adventure Tours including Tooth Draw and Tooth Draw West. Experiences combine guided excavation, on-site instruction, and laboratory fossil preparation so participants learn collection and preparation techniques.
Guides include experienced fossil hunters and paleontologists who supervise excavations on remote ranch sites. Several tours are led by Walter W. Stein, a seasoned fossil hunter noted within trip descriptions and credited with decades of fieldwork and a dinosaur named in his honor. Private land access allows extended digs across multiple days, maximizing discovery potential while maintaining safety and respect for ranch properties.
Family-focused options provide age-appropriate instruction and museum tour opportunities for children. Kids Dig and the Dino Kids Camp emphasize hands-on discovery, in-field education, and supervised lab time where young participants prepare their finds for transport. The two-day and four-day Explorers Tours concentrate on targeted excavation at single sites to improve the likelihood of meaningful discoveries.
Paleo Adventures emphasizes responsible collecting practices, on-site safety, and educational outcomes. Operating from Belle Fourche, the company connects visitors to South Dakota’s rich paleontological landscape through immersive fieldwork, expert guidance, and practical fossil preparation. Bookings are organized by trip type and date, with clear pre-trip information and guidance provided to participants for travel, safety, and logistics.
Base Location
Belle Fourche, SD
Gateway to the Hell Creek Badlands
Kids Programs
Kids Dig & Camp
Hands-on youth programs available
Tours Offered
5 Trips
Range from one to four days
Featured Guide
Walter W. Stein
Guide featured on select tours
Secure a spot on Kids Dig, Explorers Tours, or the Dino Kids Camp — limited group sizes and private-ranch access.
Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes
Rocky terrain and digging require boots or sneakers with good grip.
Bring sun protection
South Dakota’s badlands get sunny; hats and sunscreen are a must to avoid sunburn.
Stay hydrated
Carry a reusable water bottle, as outdoor activities under the sun can quickly dehydrate kids.
Dress in layers
Weather in the badlands can be changeable, so layering helps everyone stay comfortable throughout the day.
Closed-toe hiking shoes
Protects feet while digging and walking over rocky badlands.
Wide-brimmed hat
Provides necessary sun protection during outdoor activities.
summer
Reusable water bottle
Keeps participants hydrated throughout the dig.
Light layered clothing
Allows adaptation to changing temperatures during the day.