Great Plains Dinosaur Museum
Malta & Gilford, Montana

• ​​​​​Malta Montana 1-day: June 18, June 19, June 27m July 9, July 10

• Ages: 6-15 (must be accompanied by an adult. (Adults do not pay)

• Cost: $125

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This one-day junior paleontologist experience takes kids to an active hadrosaur fossil site in the Montana badlands — then into the museum's fossil prep lab to clean and study actual specimens alongside paleontologists.

 

Morning · In the field

9 AM-noon

Dig at an active fossil site 30 miles from Malta, your child experiences what a real dinosaur excavation is like — learning how paleontologists find, uncover, and document duckbill dinosaur bones right where they've been buried for millions of years.

 

Return to the museum

Eat lunch before embarking on the afternoon session. NO LUNCH PROVIDED

 
Afternoon · In the lab

1:30PM – 3PM

In the afternoon, back at the museum, kids get hands-on time cleaning and studying real specimens — the same work professional paleontologists do every day. The day finishes with a fun treasure hunt where young paleontologists solve a “Prehistoric Mystery”

 

This experience is led by Sue Frary. Sue has spent three decades working across archaeology, paleontology, and museum science. She served as senior technician for the traveling Jurassic Park: The Lost World exhibit and led the first-ever reconstruction of Argentinosaurus — the largest dinosaur ever discovered. Her genuine love for fossils is contagious, and her ability to connect with kids turns a science lesson into an unforgettable adventure.

 

• All participants must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. Cost of adult is included in the price. 

• Transportation to field site is your responsibility – driver and vehicle must be capable of
  driving on rural road for 30 minutes.

• Fees for this experience are are only refundable if you contact the museum at least 10 days before your reservation date.

• If roads are impassible or severe storm warnings are in effect, programs will be conducted within the museum with a partial refund given.​

• Gilford, MT July 13-15, July 13-17, June 24-26

• Ages: 12+ (must be accompanied by an adult of 18 years or more)

• 3-day Cost: $750

• 5-day Cost: $1200

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Dig in a fossil quarry in the Judith River Formation, where more than a dozen fossil species have already been identified, including five dinosaur species. Dating to about 77–75 million years ago, this newly discovered site was found in 2025, and work has only just begun. Set within an easily accessible area of roughly 7,000 square feet, it has already yielded turtles, fish, and at least four different dinosaur species. That rare diversity could unlock vital clues about the ancient ecosystem and the animals that once lived there.​

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NOTE:

• Accommodations are not included, but please let us know if you would like recommendations in Havre or Gilford.

• Breakfast and lunch included. Dinner is on your own. 

• This dig can transfer a few people from town to the dig site, but you are encouraged to bring your own vehicle capable of handing off-road driving

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During the course of this program you’ll learn:

• How to collect fossils both large and small to better understand the life in the Cretaceous

• How to prospect for new fossil sites

• How to distinguish fossils from rocks

• Mapping and field jacketing techniques for the safe recovery of fossils bones​​

• All excavation tools are provided

 

Working in the field requires the ability to walk and climb short distances over rough terrain, steep hills and prairies. You will also sit or kneel on the ground for hours, sometimes in uncomfortable positions.

 

The weather in Montana can range from 70-100 degrees in the summer. In the event of inclement weather, participants may be brought to the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum for a day of work in the fossil lab.

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Bring:

• Long pants

• Long sleeved shirt

• Small back pack or tote bag

• Refillable water bottle

• Wide-brimmed hat

• Neck scarf

• Light weight clothing

• Good boots or hiking shoes

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Bug spray

• Camera

• Snacks

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Click here for more details on what to expect on a paleontology dig.