St. George Dinosaur Dig + Itinerary
St. George, UT
October 22-26
Itinerary to St. George, Bryce Canyon and Zion
Participation is subject to availability and is at the full discretion of the dig location. Prices and dates dates subject to change. All Terms + Conditions apply.
Ages: 8+
Minors must be accompanied
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About the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site
Two hundred million years ago, southwestern Utah teemed with dinosaurs, crocodilian ancestors, fish, horseshoe crabs, and other invertebrates. In the town of St. George, Dr. Sheldon Johnson unearthed the unmistakable evidence of these early Jurassic creatures. In the year 2000, he found the well-preserved 3-D casts of dinosaur footprints! Astonishingly, some of these trace fossils retained detailed skin impressions, foot pads, and claw marks. Further investigations unearthed new species of full-body fish fossils, the teeth and bones of meat-eating dinosaurs and crocodilians, plants, invertebrates and thousands of land and aquatic tracks made by different species.
You can dig into the discoveries in St. George on an extraordinary itinerary to dig into the deep past of southern Utah. At the heart of this itinerary is hands-on fossil excavation at the St. George Dinosaur site, followed by an itinerary of exploration through some of southwest Utah’s most iconic parks and breathtaking landscapes. scenery.
How you will make an impact on this paleontology dig
Participants will make a difference by joining in the discovery of new and scientifically important fossils. Fossils may include new species or known species that provide information about the anatomy of these taxa, new additions to the faunal/floral lists, and interactions with other co-occurring species. All fossils found will be housed at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site.
All the digs featured on Ancient Odysseys are non-profits and rely upon visitors and donations to continue their important scientific work. Please consider donating if you would like to support this organization's mission. All donations are tax deductible.
Oct 22-26, 2026 | 6-Day Dig with Bryce and Zion National Parks Itinerary
Join us on an unforgettable journey—blending hands-on paleontology with the iconic beauty of the American Southwest.
At the center of this immersive experience is the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site, where you’ll step beyond the exhibits and into the active quarry itself. After professional training and safety instruction, you’ll work alongside paleontologists to excavate fossils at the original site of discovery. Your hours of discovery will contribute directly to ongoing scientific research.
Beyond the dig, the adventure continues through some of Utah’s most striking landscapes. Hike among the lava flows and red sandstone cliffs of Snow Canyon State Park, then journey north to the dramatic hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park. Take in sweeping scenic viewpoints, enjoy optional moderate hikes, savor classic western dining, and experience unforgettable stargazing beneath Bryce Canyon’s famously dark skies with guidance from local astronomers.
Oct 22 | Arrival to Las Vegas + Drive to St. George
Your adventure begins as you arrive at the Las Vegas Airport and meet your Southwest Adventure Tours tour director. Board the vehicle and depart Las Vegas. Travel across the Mojave Desert with a rest stop along the way. Then enter Utah on your way to St. George and check in for a 3 night stay. Take it easy this evening after a day of travel and join the group for a welcome dinner.
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Accommodations: The Advenire, Autograph Collection
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Meals: Dinner
Oct 23 | St. George Dinosaur Dig
Enjoy a full day of digging at the St. George Site. See above for full dig day details
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Accommodations: The Advenire, Autograph Collection
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Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Oct 24 | St. George Dinosaur Dig + Warner Valley Dinosaur Track Site + Snow Canyon State Park
You’ll spend the morning back at the St. George dig site for the chance to make even more discoveries! After an included lunch, travel to the Warner Valley Dinosaur Track Site for exploration. To finish off the day, enjoy exploring and hiking in Snow Canyon State Park. After an incredible day, the evening is free on own.
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Accommodations: The Advenire, Autograph Collection
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Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Oct 25 | Bryce Canyon + Stargazing Experience
Depart St. George this morning for a scenic drive to Bryce Canyon National Park, for a day of touring and hiking. The vibrant colors and unearthly shapes of Bryce Canyon spark the imagination. Lunch will be on your own today, then in the afternoon, continue exploring the park with the opportunity for some moderate hiking.
This evening, join the group for some wonderful western food and entertainment at Ebenezer’s Barn and Grill before a special treat: Bryce Canyon is designated as a Dark Skies Reserve and tonight, join the group for a Stargazing Experience with local astronomers to explore the wonders of the night sky and our universe.
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Accommodations: Best Western Plus - Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel
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Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Oct 26 | Zion National Park + Las Vegas
Depart Bryce Canyon for another scenic drive as you travel to Utah's oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. Experience massive 2,000-foot high formations and towers, the Mt. Carmel Tunnel, Zion Canyon and the Virgin River. Zion Canyon is a lush green canyon with the Virgin River flowing against a backdrop of huge red rock cliffs. Lunch will be included today. Later in the afternoon, depart Zion and travel across the desert before arriving back in Las Vegas in the evening for your final night. The evening is free to explore all that Las Vegas has to offer.
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Accommodations: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Las Vegas Airport
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Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Oct 27 | Departure from Las Vegas
After an included breakfast, you'll check out of your hotel.
Transfer to the Las Vegas Airport by the hotel shuttle, for your departure flight home.
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Meals; Breakfast
Interested in customizing this itinerary for your group of 6+ on a different date? Please contact us.
St. George Dinosaur Dig ONLY Options
If you only have a day, you can also head to the St. George Dinosaur Site on your own to dig. Choose from THREE Options. Please use the booking link at the top of the page.
1. DIG ONLY | Morning Half-Day | 8:45am-12pm | $50
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8:45am Check in at the SGDS Museum
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9:00am Behind-the-scenes Lab Tour
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9:30am Arrive at Quarry for orientation, training, and safety briefing—can people walk or must they drive???
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9:45am-11:45 Dig for two hours
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11:45am Clean up, bag specimens, clear take-home fossils with paleontologist
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12:00pm Explore the Museum on your own
2. DIG ONLY | Afternoon Half-Day | 1:15pm-4:30pm | $50
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1:15pm Check in at the SGDS Museum
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1:30pm Behind-the-scenes Lab Tour
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2:00pm Arrive at Quarry for orientation, training, and safety briefing—can people walk or must they drive???
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2:15pm-4:!5 Dig for two hours
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4:15pm Clean up, bag specimens, clear take-home fossils with paleontologist
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4:30pm Explore the Museum on your own
3. DIG ONLY | Full Day | $100
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This experience combines the morning and afternoon sessions. In the afternoon, from 1:15-1:45, participants will have half-an-hour to work in the lab on the fossils they found in the morning.
Click here for more details on what to expect on a paleontology dig.
What to Expect on the St. George Dinosaur Dig
You will work on the St. George "Substation Quarry" (SQ) to search for Jurassic species including sharks, palaeoniscoids, semionotids, lungfishes, coelacanths, theropod dinosaurs, crocodile relatives, and invertebrates. The site is rich in invertebrates and there is the potential to take fish scales and other small finds home with you!
Fossils found during your tour will be housed at the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site. Museum volunteers will prepare them in the fossil prep lab. Then smaller fossils will be stored in archival boxes and large ones will be housed on open shelves within the museum. Museum staff, professional paleontologists, and researchers from around the world will have access to these fossils. Research and publications will be ongoing as new fossils are found.
Museum paleontologists and staff provide orientation and training.in:
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How to collect fossils both large and small, from the tiniest dinosaur teeth to the massive bones of a Triceratops—all of which will help to better understand the life of Late Cretaceous Wyoming
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Basic geological concepts to put fossils into the context of time
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How to prospect for new fossil sites
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How to distinguish fossils from rocks
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Mapping and important field jacketing techniques for the safe recovery of fossils bones
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About the geology and fauna of the Cretaceous at lectures each day
What to Bring for the St. George Dinosaur Dig
All tools and training are provided. But please note that all field work is weather dependent. St. George weather is similar to Las Vegas and can be unpredictable. Bring layers and be prepared for wind, rain, cold, or hot. The quarry has uneven, dirt surfaces and no wheelchair access.
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Water bottle, with water and electrolytes. We suggest 2 liters
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Wear clothes that can get dirty and bring layers for changeable weather, including cool mornings and mid-day sun
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Hiking boots or sturdy soled shoes. Do not wear sandals/flip flops
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Sunscreen
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Gardening/work gloves
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A wide-brim hat
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Umbrella for shade
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Other personal care/toiletry items
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Snacks and lunch if you are staying for the full day experience
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All participants are required to sign a release form
Inclusions and Exclusions
Pricing of $3,899 is based on a 6-guest minimum, double occupancy
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$4,549.00 Single
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$3,719.00 Triple
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$3,625.00 Quad
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Travel logistics are managed by Southwest Adventures
Ful Itinerary Inclusions:
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Services of a Southwest Adventure Tours tour director
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Comfortable transportation
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5 nights hotel accommodations
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5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners
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1.5 day paleontological dig experience at St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site
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Snow Canyon State Park
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Bryce Canyon National Park
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Dark Skies experience at Bryce Canyon
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Zion National Park
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Gratuities for included activities
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Gratuities for included meals
Exclusions:
Items of a personal nature (alcohol, room service, etc.)
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Meals (other than listed in the itinerary)
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Hotel baggage handling
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Gratuities for the Southwest Adventure Tours tour director
Interested in customizing this itinerary for your group of 6+ on a different date? Please contact us.
An interview with Andrew Milner | Lead Paleontologist & Curator| St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site
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What makes St. George significant?
The discovery story and its preservation: In February 2000, Sheldon Johnson discovered numerous Eubrontes tracks preserved at the bottom of a 1-meter-thick sandstone layer overlying a mudstone layer on his farm within the St. George city limits. Because of the Johnson's public mindedness, the discovery has provided a unique opportunity for public education and community involvement.
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What has been most surprising about your discoveries here?
The knowledge we've gained about this specific site and the animals and plants living there: The St. George track site is not only the oldest Jurassic dinosaur site in Utah, it is the best basal Jurassic track site in western North America. The Eubrontes tracks are among the best ever recorded preserving pads, claw marks, and in some examples skin impressions with exceptionally deep tracks preserving dew-claws. A very interesting fossil plant similar in form to a water lily was found in the sediment filling a Eubrontes track. This fossil predates flowering plants by 100 million years and probably represents an un-described lower-vascular plant (fern?) mimicking the life habit of modern water lilies. We were not expecting to find so much material, particularly the full fish skeletons as well as shark and dinosaur teeth. We won't know how important and unique these are until they are prepared and full research done on them, but the quantity has been surprising.
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What are your current research objectives at your site?
We are starting to piece together the additional details of the quarry and how that fits into the larger context of the discovery site and southwestern paleontology.
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What was most important or rewarding find at this site?
I would say it's the quantity of shark and dinosaur teeth.