# American Fossil DigFish Quarry: legal collecting field guide

Canonical page: https://lithomap.app/resources/field-trips/american-fossil-quarry-wyoming
Last access and rule review: September 18, 2026
Page purpose: Original LithoMap trip-planning reference for an explicitly authorized rock, mineral, or non-dinosaur fossil collecting destination.

## Direct answer

A separate private Green River Formation quarry offering scheduled visitor digs with tools, instruction, and an operator keep policy.

## Location and material

- State: Wyoming
- Area: Near Kemmerer, Wyoming
- Category: Fossil collecting
- Collection status: Collecting allowed
- Expected material: Green River fossil fish, Plant and invertebrate fossils

## Authorization

American Fossil expressly sells visitor access to its DigFish quarry and states that guests may keep fossils found under the quarry terms.

## Access

The quarry limits the number of guests. Booking is the reliable way to secure space, even when walk-ins are accepted; use only the operator’s directions.

## Tools, limits, and season

- Tools: Use the quarry’s supplied or approved splitting tools and staff method. Do not enter operating areas or remove material that has not been assigned to the visitor dig.
- Limits: The current operator terms govern keep privileges, exceptional finds, rescheduling, and no-shows. Review them during booking rather than relying on an older summary.
- Season and current status: Seasonal and weather-sensitive. Confirm current dates, hours, rates, capacity, and directions at booking.

## Conditions

- Book ahead when possible.
- Check in before handling shale.
- Work only in the visitor dig area.
- Show complete, rare, or unusual vertebrate material to staff.

## Geology

Thin-bedded Green River Formation limestone preserves fish and other organisms from an Eocene lake system.

Part and counterpart, bone alignment, and fine detail should be protected during splitting and transport.

## Field plan

1. Read the current booking terms.
2. Bring water, sun protection, gloves, and flat boxes.
3. Learn the splitting technique.
4. Keep both halves together.
5. Ask staff to review unusual finds.

## Safety

- Remote high-desert conditions require water and weather planning.
- Shale edges and striking tools can injure hands and eyes.
- Stay clear of active quarry equipment.

## Official sources

- DigFish booking and visitor terms — American Fossil: https://www.fishdig.com/dig.html

This guide is not a permit, reservation, boundary survey, legal opinion, guarantee of access, or promise of a find. Open every official source again before travel. Current signs, closures, permits, claim boundaries, and staff instructions control.