a new dig

New Dig trilobite quarry is about 50km from Delta, Utah. Go west along 6/50 between the 56 mile and 57 mile sign is a turn off to the right. It is signposted to another fossil dig. Follow the same road. They are next to each other. New Dig is 100m from the first place. There is about 25km gravel road is very good, the latter part a bit grooved. There is a sharp bend after about 5km. The bend is well signposted but take care. I went with my family that included grandchildren aged 5 and 7. We were met by Jennifer the owner/manager. She showed us the sections we could search it. The grandchildren found trilobites as soon as they stepped out of the car. We chose our scavenging sections and began splitting the shale. I could hear the grandchildren calling out "awsome" as they found more fossils. After 2 hours we had collected a huge pile of rocks with fossils in. Jennifer helped us identify the different trilobites and which were the best to keep. We had to be selective as we had to put our collection in our airplane luggage. I did read that someone used a post box to send theirs back. As well as trilobites we found brachiopods and algae.TAKE WATER and SNACKS as there are none available at the site.We went on a Sunday as the one next door as closed, however I think Jennifer and New Dig are well worth considering. The costs are a little less than the quarry next door, for two hours I paid $20 per adult and $10 for the 7 year old, ( the 5 year old was free ). Jennifer was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She certainly encouraged the grandchildren. I like giving the little guy a chance. Since I have returned home I have cleaned and prepared the best finds. Finding trilobites at New Dig was a very rewarding experience. My only regret was I did not have enough room to bring all my finds back.

New Dig is near Antelope Springs 50 miles out of Delta/Hinkley in Utah. It is right next to a more commercialized trilobite quarry. My family ( grandparents, mum, dad and two children aged 5 and 7 ) went on a Sunday. We originally planned to go to the more well known site but found it did not open on Sundays. We did not miss out as New Dig was very enjoyable.To get to the trilobite quarries go west from Delta/Hinkley on route 6/50 between the 56 and 57 mile marker is a sign on the right to the quarries. From route 6/50 it is 12 miles on a gravel road. The first section is very good. Be careful, as about 5 miles along the road, there is an unexpected bend. It is well sign posted. The last section of gravel road is not as good as the first section.New Dig is 100yards past the first fossil quarry.We were met by Jennifer the owner. She was very friendly. She gave us our collecting buckets and hammers. The children spotted trilobites in the rubble by the car park. Jennifer showed us the areas we could dig or split rocks. Jennifer checked on us a few times to make sure we were finding specimens. She was very knowledgeable and identifies the specimens we had collected.As I broke open rocks I could hear my grandchildren calling out, "Awesome" as they found lose specimens. after a couple of hours we had managed to collect a huge collection. The final task was to sort through and decide which to keep as we were flying home. Jennifer helped us to decide, telling us which were the rarer specimens. I did read someone used a postal box to send things home.TAKE WATER and SNACKS as there none at the site. On very sunny days sun screen is essential.I was happy that we had not gone to the more well known site and managed to give "the small guy a chance." Also the prices are quite a bit cheaper.Now we are all looking up web sites to label our trilobites because we were so excited on the day we all forgot the names Jennifer had told us.

Since fossil digging is probably something everybody dreams about from a childhood this was on out ToDo list when visiting Utah. A New Dig site is one of two commercial operators in almost the same location, but was our choice because they are open on Sunday (closed on Monday). I certainly recommend calling in advance to confirm the arrival.Arriving with RV (yes the road is that good) we were promptly greeted by Jennifer and felt welcome. After short instructions - stumbled upon Trilobite immediately - we started to DIG. And boy was it fun! You catch a "fosill fever - like gold fever" and you want to open just another rock and another and another....:) Since there is so much stuff in those rocks: worms, algae and of course TRILOBITES! The biggest we found was around 1" big and opening a rock to let sun shine on a trilobite after 50 million years again is an extra feeling :)If you can GO, DO IT! Even kids enjoy it and if they get bored, they can just look around and find some trilobites lying around on the ground exposed :))Bring gloves if possible (helps a LOT - I still have blisters), water and sun protection!There is archeologist in everyone of us!