How It Works
Hunt with the Experts
You get to spend a week hunting for dinosaur bones with guides out in the field!
Keep what you find
You will be able to keep almost everything that you find. In most cases each participant finds several hundred bone fragments, ten or so mostly complete bones and an occasional tooth and claw.
Start something awesome
There aren't many cooler things you can say than "Hey, want to look at my fossil collection? It's a hobby." At least, that's what we would like to think.
Sessions
Choose a week (or two) to come collect your own fossils!
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#1
4/20 slots filledChadron, Nebraska
Sun June 16 to Sat June 22
Cretaceous marine and new productive Oligocene ranches in and around the area of Chadron. Excellent in 2017.
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#2
17/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun June 23 to Sat June 29
Traditionally a very good Lance formation ranch with abundant triceratops material, plant fossils and petrified wood. One day will be spent on a fantastic 44,000 acre Oligocene ranch south of Newcastle.
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#3
14/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun June 30 to Sat July 6
Due to the totally unprecedented discoveries on the this ranch in 2017 this week will be dedicated to the removal of some of the 6+ animals found in 2017.
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#4
23/22 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun July 7 to Sat July 13
This week we will be collecting the same ranch as the previous week, which has proven to be the best ranch that we have ever collected. One day will be spent on the above mentioned Oligocene ranch south of Newcastle.
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#5
17/20 slots filledNewcastle, Wyoming
Sun July 14 to Sat July 20
Same as above but different sections of the ranches.
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#6
22/20 slots filledSouth/North Dakota
Sun July 21 to Sat July 27
This week will be split between the ranches in and around SD and ND.
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#7
20/20 slots filledGlasgow, Montana
Sun July 28 to Sat August 3
During our last session, we will be on a Judith River formation ranch, North West of Glasgow. Last year was another excellent week of collecting on this physically demanding ranch. For those able to tough it out it always provides excellent fossils. New areas uncollected in past years were investigated this year with very positive results. In addition we are beginning, finally, to understand the nature of the fossil bearing layers in the Valley.
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WE KNOW,
THIS IS
AWESOME
Our Amazing Team
Meet the people who make PaleoProspectors possible!
Steve Nicklas
PaleoProspectors Founder
Rob Sula
Lead Guide
Caitlin Flake
Guide
Michael Payne
Guide
Zack Heck
Guide
What our participants are saying:
"It is so cool that we get to explore and find our own fossils! The fact that I am the first person to ever lay eyes on the fossil is awesome!" - Caitlin Flake
"An unforgettable experience... I can't wait to go back next year!" - Paul Weiler
"I love how we are able to preserve the past. The anticipationn of what we might find keeps us on our toes all the time. Last but not least the bathrooms are phenomenal (thats because you are outside with a 360 degree view of the mountains, plains, and horny toads!)" - Megan Graham
"Taking trips with PaleoProspectors was a life changer. I look back at these excursions as some of the happiest times of my life." - Robert Peterson
"Once a pile of stuff I found turned out the be a 30 foot Tylosaur. The look on Steves face was priceless!" - Thomas Williams
The following list covers most of what you will need for our time in the field:
- Hat
- Rain Coat
- Camera
- Canteen
- Work Gloves
- Good Hiking Boots & Socks
- Shorts & Long pants
- Knee Pads (optional)
- Light Coat
- Back Pack (large capacity)
- Bug Spray
- Sun Block
- Small First Aid Kit
- Windbreaker
- Wrist Watch
- Personal Rock Hammer (optional)
- Pocket Knife
- Gumption
Hotel Info
*Hotel included in trip cost (double occupancy)
Fly into: Rapid City, South Dakota
Address: 1227 S. Summit Newcastle, Wyoming 82701
Phone Number: 307-746-2724
Website: http://sagemotel.weebly.com/
Notes: Great motel!
Fly into: Rapid City, South Dakota
Address: 300 Oak St. Chadron, NE. 69337
Phone Number: 308-432-5577
Website: http://www.westernerinns.com/
Notes: Great motel!
Fly into: Rapid City, South Dakota
Address: 604 1st St W, Buffalo, SD 57720
Phone Number: 605-375-3721
Website: NA
Notes: Hotel review from one PaleoProspectors participant: “New managers are Fantastic!”
Fly into: Billings, Montana
Address: 45 First Ave NE, Glasgow, MT 59230
Phone Number: 406-228-8213
Website: http://www.cottonwoodinn.net/home.aspx
Notes: Has a pool