The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site is launching a new field-tour and fossil-finding program at the Substation Quarry. The three-hour adventure includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's fossil prep lab and a session for participants to dig for fossils at the quarry site.
The program will be held on Saturdays and Sundays from October 4 through December 14. Two sessions are offered daily: a morning session from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and an afternoon session from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased at least five days in advance. Costs are $50 per person for one session, $100 for two sessions, and $175 for four sessions. Participants must be at least 8 years old, and children aged 8 to 17 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
The Substation Quarry is located within city limits across the street from the museum. The site features uneven dirt surfaces without wheelchair access. Participants are advised to bring water, electrolytes, snacks, a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and layers for changing temperatures. While the site provides excavation tools, ice, and water, it does not provide transportation, meals, or other beverages. The site provides a cooler with ice and water, and participants may bring personal equipment such as a rock hammer, chisels, or work gloves.
The Substation Quarry was first excavated in March and April of 2025 as a salvage and recovery operation. The site contains fossils from the Whitmore Point Member of the Moenave Formation, which is approximately 200 million years old. The layer represents fauna and flora following the end-Triassic mass extinction. Excavations have previously yielded more than 1,100 fossils, including remains of fish, theropod dinosaurs, crocodile relatives, and invertebrates. Due to the significance of these finds, the City of St. George decided to relocate a planned electrical substation to allow for further investigation of the fossil-bearing layers.
Fossils found during tours will be housed at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site for preparation and research by professional paleontologists. While participants may potentially take small finds like fish scales home, significant specimens will be kept for study. All tickets are non-refundable unless the session is cancelled due to weather; otherwise, participants may reschedule up to 72 hours in advance if space is available.
