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Welcome to U-Dig Fossils was featured We're excited about the 2008 season!
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| Hours - How to Get There - Cost - Visitor Experiences Picture Gallery |
Welcome to the official web site of U-DIG Fossils. We operate a private quarry west of Delta, Utah, that contains one of the world's richest deposits of trilobites. Come experience the thrill of finding your own fossil trilobites!
See more in the Picture Gallery
What is a trilobite?
A trilobite is form of invertebrate marine life that lived more than 500 million years ago, but are now extinct. These hard-shelled prehistoric critters roamed the sea floor and coral reefs in search of food. Because of their great diversity and often perfect preservation in fine-grained rock, they are one of the most popular fossils among collectors.
Are the fossils easy to collect?
The fossils are found in a limestone shale. This shale splits easily into flat sheets, revealing the trilobite fossils. 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. There's little need to do this, though. Fresh chunks of fossil-bearing rock are regularly extracted from the bedrock with heavy equipment by the U-DIG staff.
How many fossils will I find?
The average visitor finds ten to twenty complete trilobites in a four-hour period. If you're having trouble, friendly U-DIG personnel roam the quarry area and would be glad to show you the richest veins of fossil-bearing rock. They can show you how to split the rock to find trilobites, and can identify what you find.
What sort of trilobites will I find?
The most common species found at the quarry are:
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Elrathia kingi |
Asaphiscus wheeleri |
Peronopsis interstricta |
Some of the species below have been found, but are quite rare:
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Bolasidella housensis |
Alokistocare harrisi |
Olenoides nevadensis |
Other types of fossils can be found, including brachiopods, sponges, worm tracks, and phyllocarids. The quarry is part of the House Range, dated mid-Cambrian. The fossils range in length from 1/8th inch to two inches.
What do I need to bring?
U-DIG Fossils recommends a pair of gloves to protect your hands. Garden gloves are adequate. Consider wearing sturdy shoes to protect your feet from dust and sharp rock. Bring a light jacket in case of a change in weather. You might also want to bring beverages and a light lunch. Bring plenty of water!
U-DIG Fossils cannot provide safety glasses. You will need to provide your own eye protection. Splitting rock involves some risk. Shards of rock could injure your eyes, so be sure to bring your own eye protection. Inexpensive safety glasses are available at most hardware stores.
To get an idea of the surrounding countryside and what the quarry looks like, see the Picture Gallery.
What does U-DIG provide?
Unlimited trilobites! U-DIG Fossils provides you with forty acres of the best trilobite collecting in the world. We can also provide hammers to split the shale, buckets to hold your collection and to carry your fossils to your vehicle in the parking area, digging instructions, assistance in finding and identifying fossils. We also provide radio communication to Delta and toilet facilities.
Gene Boardman will assist you at the quarry.
The U-DIG Fossils quarry is located approximately 52 miles west of Delta, Utah, near Antelope Springs. It is approximately 90 miles from Provo to Delta. It is approximately 130 miles from Salt Lake City to Delta.
Once in Delta, first travel 32 miles west on Highway 6/50. At the Long Ridge Reservoir sign between mile markers 56-57, turn right. There is a U-DIG Fossils sign at this intersection. Then travel 20 miles down a well-maintained gravel road to reach the U-DIG Fossils trilobite quarry. Any type of vehicle can travel this gravel road. For a map, click here.
How much does it cost?
Here is the "regular rate" price list for customers who drive directly to the quarry on their own:
| Length of stay | Age 7 to 16 | Adults - Age 17 and older |
| 2 hours | $16 | $28 |
| Half Day - 4 hours | $28 | $42 |
| Full Day - 8 hours | $42 | $70 |
There is no charge for children age 6 and younger who are accompanied by a paying adult. Sales tax is not included in the prices listed here. Prices are subject to change without notice.
For groups of 10 people or more, a 15% discount can be applied. Discounts are also available for Boy Scout groups and local school groups.
A discount of 20% is available for Utah residents who can show a driver's license.
Can I bring a large group?
Advance reservations for small groups (10-15) are encouraged but not necessary.
Tour group transportation from Delta to the trilobite quarry and other collecting sites is available with advance reservations. Tours to collect Dugway geodes, obsidian and topaz crystals can be arranged. Tours can include a visit to "The Bug House," a wholesale fossil lapidary shop. Please call for rates for tours. Lunches can be arranged.
Please ask about our special rates for large and educational groups. Large groups qualify for a 10% to 20% percent discount from the regular (non-tour) rates, depending on group size.
What have other visitors said about the trip and the experience in the quarry?
Browse the stories on the Visitor Experiences page. After your visit, send us your story and we'll add it to this page.
What if I have more questions?
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.
U-DIG Fossils
P.O. Box 1113
350 East 300 South
Delta, Utah 84624
(435) 864-3638
(435) 864-4294 FAX
E-mail udig@xmission.com
News from U-DIG Fossils
Places to stay in Delta
More fossil and trilobite links
Visitor Testimonials
If you do visit, please send me an e-mail afterwards and I'll add you experience to the Visitor Experiences page. This web site got its start as a recollection of my own experiences on my September 1998 trip, but it was soon joined by emails from other satisfied visitors. It would be untrue to say that I've ever edited or left out anyone's story. It's a great testament to U-Dig that all the fan mail has been overwhelmingly positive.
- John Foust <jfoust@threedee.com>
Who made this web page?
Believe it or not, I made this page because I was a very satisfied visitor.
I made it based on the text of some of U-DIG's literature. I'd visited the U-DIG web page in 1998 or so. When I had a chance to make a side-trip to this area of Utah, I couldn't find the old U-DIG web page. The link was broken. They needed a new web page!
If you learned about U-DIG Fossils from this web page, please be sure to tell them so when you visit.
Write to the U-Dig Fossils family at udig@xmission.com .
