About Us
|
|
The First Quarry Where You Keep Every Fossil You Find!!!
About American Fossil
At American Fossil, we’re passionate about bringing prehistoric history to life—one dig at a time. Nestled in the heart of Wyoming’s Green River Formation, our private quarry offers an unforgettable opportunity for anyone to dig, discover, and keep real 50-million-year-old fossils.
A Fossil-Rich Legacy in Wyoming
The Green River Formation in Wyoming is world-renowned for producing some of the best-preserved fossils ever found. From perfectly detailed fossil fish to rare mammals, leaves, and more, this ancient lakebed gives us a glimpse into what life was like during the Eocene Epoch, over 50 million years ago.
American Fossil is proud to operate on private land with exclusive access to one of the richest fossil layers in the region. We’re not just about collecting fossils—we’re about connecting people to Earth’s deep history in a meaningful, hands-on way.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple:
To make real science accessible to everyone.
Whether you're a scientist, student, family, or tourist, we believe you deserve the chance to hold the past in your hands. At American Fossil, you don’t just look at fossils—you experience them.
We strive to:
What Makes Us Different
✅ You Keep What You Find – No hidden fees or limits
✅ Open to the Public – No permits required, all are welcome
✅ Perfect for Families, Schools & Tours
✅ Real Tools, Real Fossils, Real Science
While many fossil sites in Wyoming are off-limits or only accessible to researchers, American Fossil is open to the public, giving you a truly rare chance to participate in the discovery process.
At American Fossil, we’re passionate about bringing prehistoric history to life—one dig at a time. Nestled in the heart of Wyoming’s Green River Formation, our private quarry offers an unforgettable opportunity for anyone to dig, discover, and keep real 50-million-year-old fossils.
A Fossil-Rich Legacy in Wyoming
The Green River Formation in Wyoming is world-renowned for producing some of the best-preserved fossils ever found. From perfectly detailed fossil fish to rare mammals, leaves, and more, this ancient lakebed gives us a glimpse into what life was like during the Eocene Epoch, over 50 million years ago.
American Fossil is proud to operate on private land with exclusive access to one of the richest fossil layers in the region. We’re not just about collecting fossils—we’re about connecting people to Earth’s deep history in a meaningful, hands-on way.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple:
To make real science accessible to everyone.
Whether you're a scientist, student, family, or tourist, we believe you deserve the chance to hold the past in your hands. At American Fossil, you don’t just look at fossils—you experience them.
We strive to:
- Preserve and share Wyoming’s natural fossil heritage
- Provide authentic, educational, and family-friendly fossil experiences
- Support scientific research and outreach through fossil discovery
- Encourage a lifelong love of geology and paleontology
What Makes Us Different
✅ You Keep What You Find – No hidden fees or limits
✅ Open to the Public – No permits required, all are welcome
✅ Perfect for Families, Schools & Tours
✅ Real Tools, Real Fossils, Real Science
While many fossil sites in Wyoming are off-limits or only accessible to researchers, American Fossil is open to the public, giving you a truly rare chance to participate in the discovery process.
Meet the Team
American Fossil is led by a team of paleontology enthusiasts, educators, and science lovers. With decades of combined experience in fossil collection, education, and conservation, our staff is committed to helping every guest uncover the thrill of discovery.
Our quarry staff will walk you through safety, digging techniques, and fossil identification. Whether you’re 7 or 70, you’ll feel supported, informed, and excited every step of the way.
American Fossil is led by a team of paleontology enthusiasts, educators, and science lovers. With decades of combined experience in fossil collection, education, and conservation, our staff is committed to helping every guest uncover the thrill of discovery.
Our quarry staff will walk you through safety, digging techniques, and fossil identification. Whether you’re 7 or 70, you’ll feel supported, informed, and excited every step of the way.
Staff Biographies
Patrick Hogle - Owner
Patrick is the owner of Paleoland Holdings. He is the father of 4 children, and along with his wife, they spend their family time together Rock hounding and hunting fossils. He loves the excitement of discovery and this passion is shared by his wife and kids.
Patrick worked as s wildlife biologist, biology teacher (12) years and as a public school administrator for 2 year.
In his heart, he is an educator and is most excited about sharing the fossil resources of our quarry with families. He truly believes these fossils are a national treasure and the opportunity to dig and keep them is not found anywhere else on earth. His hope is that some of the children who leave our quarry will do so with enough excitement they will choose careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.
He is personally committed to the educational quality and enjoyment of every guest we have the honor of serving. He looks forward to seeing you in beautiful Wyoming and if there is anything he can do to make your time with us better, please let him know.
Patrick is the owner of Paleoland Holdings. He is the father of 4 children, and along with his wife, they spend their family time together Rock hounding and hunting fossils. He loves the excitement of discovery and this passion is shared by his wife and kids.
Patrick worked as s wildlife biologist, biology teacher (12) years and as a public school administrator for 2 year.
In his heart, he is an educator and is most excited about sharing the fossil resources of our quarry with families. He truly believes these fossils are a national treasure and the opportunity to dig and keep them is not found anywhere else on earth. His hope is that some of the children who leave our quarry will do so with enough excitement they will choose careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields.
He is personally committed to the educational quality and enjoyment of every guest we have the honor of serving. He looks forward to seeing you in beautiful Wyoming and if there is anything he can do to make your time with us better, please let him know.
Seth Sorensen - Owner
Seth is a veteran of the fossil industry. He is the owner of Fossil Shack (www.fossilshack.com) and has been digging, preparing and selling fossils for years to clients all over the world. His wife and 3 daughters spend a lot of their time at the quarry and love finding ancient treasures of the earth.
Seth is the author if History's Aquarium, Head Full of Rocks, and The Utah Story.
Seth helped excavate one of only two 3-Toed horses ever discovered. He has dug fossils across the country and worked with several museums and universities in setting up exhibits.
Seth attended Snow College, Utah State University and Walden University. He an educator by profession, specializing in Data and Statistics, and is an adjunct faculty member at Southern Utah University.
Seth is a veteran of the fossil industry. He is the owner of Fossil Shack (www.fossilshack.com) and has been digging, preparing and selling fossils for years to clients all over the world. His wife and 3 daughters spend a lot of their time at the quarry and love finding ancient treasures of the earth.
Seth is the author if History's Aquarium, Head Full of Rocks, and The Utah Story.
Seth helped excavate one of only two 3-Toed horses ever discovered. He has dug fossils across the country and worked with several museums and universities in setting up exhibits.
Seth attended Snow College, Utah State University and Walden University. He an educator by profession, specializing in Data and Statistics, and is an adjunct faculty member at Southern Utah University.
Jeff Peterson - Owner
Jeff is the newest member of our team. He has a lifelong interest in fossils and history and has joined us in sharing this adventure with everyone. He is an educator turned attorney and is a key member of our team.
Jeff is the newest member of our team. He has a lifelong interest in fossils and history and has joined us in sharing this adventure with everyone. He is an educator turned attorney and is a key member of our team.
Gib Clement - Quarry Manager
Gib is a former Navy Engineer who traveled the world working on ships and submarines. After retiring from the military, he took up residence in Wyoming and we are happy he chose to join us at American fossil.
Gib is a former Navy Engineer who traveled the world working on ships and submarines. After retiring from the military, he took up residence in Wyoming and we are happy he chose to join us at American fossil.
Alexis Sorensen - Assistant Quarry Manager
Alexis is a Mathematics and Education major at Utah State University. She graduates in the spring of 2025 and will become a math teacher. She has been working and digging in the quarry since she was only 10 years old. Lexi found only the fourth snake ever discovered in the Green river Formation.
Alexis is a Mathematics and Education major at Utah State University. She graduates in the spring of 2025 and will become a math teacher. She has been working and digging in the quarry since she was only 10 years old. Lexi found only the fourth snake ever discovered in the Green river Formation.
Rachelle Sorensen - Office Manager
Rachelle is a Secretary at a Special Education School. She is very excited to be at the quarry this summer and has been around fossils for decades.
Rachelle is a Secretary at a Special Education School. She is very excited to be at the quarry this summer and has been around fossils for decades.
Adam Aase - Floor Manager
Adam is a Music Education major at Utah State University. He graduates in the spring of 2026 and will become a music teacher. He has been working and digging in quarries his entire life.
Adam is a Music Education major at Utah State University. He graduates in the spring of 2026 and will become a music teacher. He has been working and digging in quarries his entire life.
Cooper Williams - Lead Guide
Cooper is a student at the University of Wyoming. He is a fish expert and a very knowledgeable guide.
Cooper is a student at the University of Wyoming. He is a fish expert and a very knowledgeable guide.
Quarry History
Fifty million years ago, three large lakes covered Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah. The smallest, now called “Fossil Lake”, was 50 miles long and 20 miles wide at its maximum. Unlike modern Wyoming, the climate was subtropical with verdant forests of palms, figs and cypress. Willows, beeches, oaks, maples and ferns grew on the lower slopes of mountains that rose near the water. The warm lake waters supported 25 kinds of fish and stingrays, insects, crocodiles, snakes and turtles, bats, birds, the first primates and dog-sized horses and rhinos.
When the animals died, many settled to the bottom of the lake. Over time, a constant rain of calcium carbonate, which precipitated out of the water, dropped to the bottom of the lake and covered the organism in layer after layer of fine grains. Without air, the organic layers could not rot. The mud thickened and pushed down on the organic material with increasing pressure. The temperature of the organic material also increased as other processes in the Earth produced heat. Mud sediment was buried by more sediment. Sediment changed to rock as temperature, pressure, and anaerobic bacteria—microorganisms that can live without oxygen—increased.
Although the lake once covered 1,000 square miles, the richest fossil beds only cover about 15 square miles. More rich fossil beds may be buried, but that is all that are exposed on the surface today.
The great 19th-century paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope was one of the first to excavate at Fossil Buttes. He worked there in the 1870s.
Although the lake once covered 1,000 square miles, the richest fossil beds only cover about 15 square miles. More rich fossil beds may be buried, but that is all that are exposed on the surface today.
The great 19th-century paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope was one of the first to excavate at Fossil Buttes. He worked there in the 1870s.
Today, Visitors from around the world come to both enjoy and dig in the remains of Fossil Lake in the American Fossil "FishDig" Quarry.
Each year, scientists, movie stars, athletes, and families join the staff at our quarry and unearth ancient treasures from 50 million years ago. This is one of the few locations in the world where visitors are allowed to *keep the fossils they find and add them to their collections.
This quarry has produced thousands of rare and unique fossils including one of only two 3-Toed Horses ever found. Come see what is waiting for you at the American Fossil "FishDig" Quarry.
Each year, scientists, movie stars, athletes, and families join the staff at our quarry and unearth ancient treasures from 50 million years ago. This is one of the few locations in the world where visitors are allowed to *keep the fossils they find and add them to their collections.
This quarry has produced thousands of rare and unique fossils including one of only two 3-Toed Horses ever found. Come see what is waiting for you at the American Fossil "FishDig" Quarry.
Directions to the Quarry
From I-80
- From I-80, Exit 18 at Hwy 189 to Kemmerer, proceed north about 36 miles, then through Diamondville to Kemmerer.
- Just past the center of town you will come to a Ridley's grocery store on the right.
- Past that you come to a junction with Highway 30. At that junction turn right and remain on Hwy 189.
- You will pass over Hamm's Fork River. Just beyond the base of the hill you will find a Sinclair station on the right.
- Not far beyond that is the junction with Hwy 233. You will see a sign there on the right indicating a left turn to Lake Viva Naughton. Take a left there.
- Pass through Frontier and follow Hwy 233 for approximately 3 miles after the speed limit increases to 55 mph. At about that point you will see a large ranch on your right. You will take a left on Dempsey Road, a dirt road indicated by a county sign saying Dempsey Road at the point where the road narrows and the river is on one side and a hill on the other. The river is near the road on the right at this point. Do not cross the bridge. Do not continue on Hwy 233.
- Follow the dirt road for approx. 8 miles. You will cross four cattle guards and be on a plateau. From the last cattle guard, proceed about three miles. On the left you will see a well-worn dirt road with a large pale boulder and a large white sign saying American Fossil. Turn left here. Follow the main track. Another sign will guide you as the road starts to bend. The road becomes rutted for about the next half mile. You will then see two signs.
- Take the left fork at the American Fossil sign and the quarry will be in view. Follow the last sign to the left and take the hill down to the American Fossil Quarry.
From Bear Lake
1. Take US-89 South toward Wyoming
2. You will turn right onto US-30 and travel for about 22.3 Miles
3. You will come to a junction with Highway 30. At that junction turn left on Hwy 189 for approximately 2.2 miles.
4. Continue for 3 miles
5. You will pass over Hamm's Fork River. Just beyond the base of the hill you will find a Sinclair station on the right.
6. Not far beyond that is the junction with Hwy 233. You will see a sign there on the right indicating a left turn to Lake Viva Naughton. Take a left there.
7. Pass through Frontier and follow Hwy 233 for approximately 3 miles after the speed limit increases to 55 mph. At about that point you will see a large ranch on your right. You will take a left on Dempsey Road, a dirt road indicated by a county sign saying Dempsey Road at the point where the road narrows and the river is on one side and a hill on the other. The river is near the road on the right at this point. Do not cross the bridge. Do not continue on Hwy 233.
8. Follow the dirt road for approx. 8 miles. You will cross four cattle guards and be on a plateau. From the last cattle guard, proceed about three miles. On the left you will see a well-worn dirt road with a large pale boulder and a large white sign saying American Fossil. Turn left here. Follow the main track. Another sign will guide you as the road starts to bend. The road becomes rutted for about the next half mile. You will then see two signs.
9. Take the left fork at the American Fossil sign and the quarry will be in view. Follow the last sign to the left and take the hill down to the American Fossil FishDig.com Quarry.
2. You will turn right onto US-30 and travel for about 22.3 Miles
3. You will come to a junction with Highway 30. At that junction turn left on Hwy 189 for approximately 2.2 miles.
4. Continue for 3 miles
5. You will pass over Hamm's Fork River. Just beyond the base of the hill you will find a Sinclair station on the right.
6. Not far beyond that is the junction with Hwy 233. You will see a sign there on the right indicating a left turn to Lake Viva Naughton. Take a left there.
7. Pass through Frontier and follow Hwy 233 for approximately 3 miles after the speed limit increases to 55 mph. At about that point you will see a large ranch on your right. You will take a left on Dempsey Road, a dirt road indicated by a county sign saying Dempsey Road at the point where the road narrows and the river is on one side and a hill on the other. The river is near the road on the right at this point. Do not cross the bridge. Do not continue on Hwy 233.
8. Follow the dirt road for approx. 8 miles. You will cross four cattle guards and be on a plateau. From the last cattle guard, proceed about three miles. On the left you will see a well-worn dirt road with a large pale boulder and a large white sign saying American Fossil. Turn left here. Follow the main track. Another sign will guide you as the road starts to bend. The road becomes rutted for about the next half mile. You will then see two signs.
9. Take the left fork at the American Fossil sign and the quarry will be in view. Follow the last sign to the left and take the hill down to the American Fossil FishDig.com Quarry.