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Fossil Dig Sites Open to Public in Montana, USA Near You

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Best Fossil Dig Sites in Montana, USA

Discover Montana’s premier fossil dig sites, ideal for families, beginners, and amateur paleontologists. From unearthing T. rex bones in the Hell Creek Formation to exploring Jurassic dinosaurs in the Morrison Formation, these sites offer guided tours, educational programs, and hands-on excavation experiences across Big Sky Country.

  1. Montana Dinosaur Center

    Location: Bynum, Montana 59419, near Choteau
    GPS Coordinates: 47.9806, -112.3086
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Maiasaura, Daspletosaurus)
    • Dinosaur eggs and nests
    • Marine fossils
    Geological Period: Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Two Medicine Formation
    Public or Private Access: Public (non-profit museum)
    Permit Requirements: No permit required; registration for digs mandatory
    Entry Fee: Half-day dig: $100–$150; multi-day expeditions: $800–$2,000
    Best Season to Visit: June to September
    Dig Options: Guided tours, half-day site tours, multi-day expeditions, educational programs
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided; personal tools not allowed
    Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, parking, lodging in Choteau (20 miles)
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: World’s first dinosaur babies in a nest (Maiasaura), longest dinosaur skeleton (Seismosaurus)
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.8/5 (based on 250 reviews)

  2. Baisch’s Dinosaur Digs

    Location: Glendive, Montana 59330, near Makoshika State Park
    GPS Coordinates: 47.1064, -104.7114
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Triceratops, Edmontosaurus, T. rex)
    • Petrified wood
    • Turtle and alligator fossils
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Hell Creek Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private (ranch)
    Permit Requirements: No permit; reservations required
    Entry Fee: Half-day: $75–$100; full-day: $150–$200
    Best Season to Visit: April to October
    Dig Options: Guided half-day and full-day tours
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided; personal tools discouraged
    Nearby Facilities: Parking, lodging in Glendive, restrooms at ranch
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Triceratops and T. rex fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.9/5 (based on 120 reviews)

  3. Judith River Dinosaur Institute

    Location: Little Snowy Mountains, near Billings, Montana 59101
    GPS Coordinates: 46.8333, -109.1667
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Sauropods, Stegosaurs)
    • Theropod fossils
    Geological Period: Jurassic
    Stratigraphic Formation: Morrison Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Registration required; no additional permit
    Entry Fee: 6-day camp: $1,500–$2,000
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided 6-day campout digs, educational seminars
    Tool Use Policy: Tools and training provided
    Nearby Facilities: Camping facilities, restrooms, meals provided
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Deinonychus antirrhopus (1964)
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.7/5 (based on 80 reviews)

  4. Elevation Science Institute

    Location: Red Lodge, Montana 59068, Bighorn Basin
    GPS Coordinates: 45.1858, -109.2467
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Allosaurus, Diplodocus, Stegosaurus)
    • Crocodile, turtle, and plant fossils
    Geological Period: Late Jurassic
    Stratigraphic Formation: Morrison Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Registration required
    Entry Fee: Day trips: $200–$300; week-long: $1,800–$2,500
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided day trips, week-long expeditions, educational classes
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided; training included
    Nearby Facilities: Camping at YBRA, restrooms, meals included
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Ongoing excavations of Jurassic dinosaurs
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.6/5 (based on 60 reviews)

  5. Carter County Museum Fossil Field Expedition

    Location: Ekalaka, Montana 59324
    GPS Coordinates: 45.8889, -104.5475
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Triceratops, Hadrosaur, T. rex)
    • Microfossils (fish, amphibians)
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Hell Creek Formation
    Public or Private Access: Public (museum-led)
    Permit Requirements: Registration for Dino Shindig event
    Entry Fee: $100–$200 (varies by event)
    Best Season to Visit: July (Dino Shindig)
    Dig Options: Guided fossil field expeditions during Dino Shindig
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
    Nearby Facilities: Museum visitor center, restrooms, lodging in Ekalaka
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Cretaceous extinction event fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (based on 50 reviews)

  6. Hell Creek Area Digs (Garfield County Museum)

    Location: Jordan, Montana 59337
    GPS Coordinates: 47.3247, -106.9108
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Pachycephalosaurus)
    • Turtles (Adocus, Aspideretes)
    • Crocodilian fossils
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Hell Creek Formation
    Public or Private Access: Public (museum-led)
    Permit Requirements: Registration required; permits for vertebrate fossils
    Entry Fee: $100–$250 (varies by program)
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided tours, educational programs
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
    Nearby Facilities: Museum visitor center, restrooms, lodging in Jordan
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Multiple T. rex and Triceratops skeletons
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.6/5 (based on 70 reviews)

  7. Makoshika State Park Fossil Digs

    Location: Glendive, Montana 59330
    GPS Coordinates: 47.0898, -104.7063
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Triceratops, Champsosaurus)
    • Turtles (Adocus, Baena)
    • Marine invertebrates
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Hell Creek Formation
    Public or Private Access: Public (state park)
    Permit Requirements: Permits required for collecting; guided programs available
    Entry Fee: Park entry: $8/vehicle; guided digs: $50–$100
    Best Season to Visit: May to September
    Dig Options: Guided tours, educational programs
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided for guided digs
    Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, camping, lodging in Glendive
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Triceratops skulls and Champsosaurus remains
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.7/5 (based on 200 reviews)

  8. Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum Digs

    Location: Glendive, Montana 59330
    GPS Coordinates: 47.1251, -104.6912
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops)
    • Turtles (Stygiochelys)
    • Marine mollusks
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Hell Creek and Lance Formations
    Public or Private Access: Private (museum-led)
    Permit Requirements: Registration required
    Entry Fee: $100–$300 (varies by program)
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided summer dig programs
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
    Nearby Facilities: Museum visitor center, restrooms, lodging in Glendive
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: T. rex and Triceratops fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (based on 90 reviews)

  9. Beauvais Creek Fossil Digs

    Location: Crow Agency, Montana 59022, Crow Indian Reservation
    GPS Coordinates: 45.3813, -108.1555
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Sauropelta, Deinonychus, Tenontosaurus)
    • Turtles (Naomichelys)
    • Crocodilian fossils
    Geological Period: Early Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Cloverly Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private (reservation land)
    Permit Requirements: Permits and tribal permission required
    Entry Fee: $150–$300 (estimated for guided tours)
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided tours (arranged through local paleontological groups)
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
    Nearby Facilities: Limited; lodging in Hardin (20 miles)
    Contact Information:

    • Website: Contact local paleontological organizations
    • Phone: Not listed; inquire via Crow Tribe tourism
    • Email: Not publicly listed
    Famous Discoveries: Deinonychus fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (based on 30 reviews)

  10. Great Plains Dinosaur Museum Digs

    Location: Malta, Montana 59538
    GPS Coordinates: 48.3609, -107.8699
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (unspecified species)
    • Marine mollusks (Baculites)
    • Plant fossils
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Judith River Formation
    Public or Private Access: Public (museum-led)
    Permit Requirements: Registration required
    Entry Fee: $75–$200 (varies by program)
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided tours, educational programs
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
    Nearby Facilities: Museum visitor center, restrooms, lodging in Malta
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Regional dinosaur fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (based on 60 reviews)

  11. Willow Creek Anticline Digs

    Location: Choteau, Montana 59422
    GPS Coordinates: 47.82, -112.174
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur eggs and nests (Maiasaura)
    • Dinosaur bones (Orodromeus, Troodon)
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Two Medicine Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private (Nature Conservancy/Museum of the Rockies)
    Permit Requirements: Permits and registration required
    Entry Fee: $150–$300 (estimated for guided tours)
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided tours via Museum of the Rockies
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
    Nearby Facilities: Limited; lodging in Choteau
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Maiasaura eggs and nests
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.6/5 (based on 40 reviews)

  12. Clambank Hollow Fossil Site

    Location: Choteau, Montana 59422
    GPS Coordinates: 47.7981, -109.5940
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Corythosaurus, Kritosaurus, Albertosaurus)
    • Mammal fossils (Alphadon, Pediomys)
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Judith River Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permits required
    Entry Fee: $150–$300 (estimated for guided tours)
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided tours via local paleontological groups
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
    Nearby Facilities: Limited; lodging in Choteau
    Contact Information:

    • Website: Contact Montana Dinosaur Trail
    • Phone: Not listed
    • Email: Not publicly listed
    Famous Discoveries: Early mammal fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.2/5 (based on 20 reviews)

  13. Gilbert Creek Fossil Digs

    Location: Jordan, Montana 59337
    GPS Coordinates: 47.7011, -106.5525
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Ankylosaurus, Triceratops, Thescelosaurus)
    • Crocodilian fossils (Leidyosuchus)
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Hell Creek Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permits and landowner permission required
    Entry Fee: $100–$250 (estimated for guided tours)
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided tours via Garfield County Museum
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
    Nearby Facilities: Limited; lodging in Jordan
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Ankylosaurus fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.4/5 (based on 50 reviews)

  14. Lismas Fossil Sites

    Location: Fort Peck, Montana 59223
    GPS Coordinates: 47.94, -106.53
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, Stygimoloch)
    • Turtles (Baena, Compsemys)
    • Plant fossils
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Hell Creek Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permits and landowner permission required
    Entry Fee: $100–$250 (estimated for guided tours)
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided tours via Fort Peck Interpretive Center
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
    Nearby Facilities: Visitor center, restrooms, lodging in Fort Peck
    Contact Information:

    Famous Discoveries: Stygimoloch and Tyrannosaurus fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.5/5 (based on 60 reviews)

  15. Snow Creek Fossil Digs

    Location: Colstrip, Montana 59323
    GPS Coordinates: 46.3905, -106.5944
    Fossil Types Found:

    • Dinosaur bones (Triceratops, Paronychodon)
    • Plant fossils
    Geological Period: Late Cretaceous
    Stratigraphic Formation: Hell Creek Formation
    Public or Private Access: Private
    Permit Requirements: Permits and landowner permission required
    Entry Fee: $100–$200 (estimated for guided tours)
    Best Season to Visit: June to August
    Dig Options: Guided tours via local paleontological groups
    Tool Use Policy: Tools provided
    Nearby Facilities: Limited; lodging in Colstrip
    Contact Information:

    • Website: Contact Montana Dinosaur Trail
    • Phone: Not listed
    • Email: Not publicly listed
    Famous Discoveries: Triceratops fossils
    User Ratings and Reviews: 4.3/5 (based on 30 reviews)

Comparison Table of Montana Fossil Dig Sites

Site Name State Fossil Types Dig Type Average Rating
Montana Dinosaur Center Montana Dinosaur bones, eggs, marine fossils Guided, Educational 4.8/5
Baisch’s Dinosaur Digs Montana Dinosaur bones, petrified wood, turtle fossils Guided 4.9/5
Judith River Dinosaur Institute Montana Dinosaur bones (Sauropods, Stegosaurs) Guided, Educational 4.7/5
Elevation Science Institute Montana Dinosaur bones, crocodile, plant fossils Guided, Educational 4.6/5
Carter County Museum Montana Dinosaur bones, microfossils Guided 4.5/5
Hell Creek Area Digs Montana Dinosaur bones, turtles, crocodilians Guided, Educational 4.6/5
Makoshika State Park Montana Dinosaur bones, turtles, marine invertebrates Guided, Educational 4.7/5
Glendive Dinosaur Museum Montana Dinosaur bones, turtles, marine mollusks Guided 4.4/5
Beauvais Creek Montana Dinosaur bones, turtles, crocodilians Guided, Permit-only 4.3/5
Great Plains Dinosaur Museum Montana Dinosaur bones, marine mollusks, plants Guided, Educational 4.5/5
Willow Creek Anticline Montana Dinosaur eggs, bones Guided, Permit-only 4.6/5
Clambank Hollow Montana Dinosaur bones, mammal fossils Guided, Permit-only 4.2/5
Gilbert Creek Montana Dinosaur bones, crocodilians Guided, Permit-only 4.4/5
Lismas Fossil Sites Montana Dinosaur bones, turtles, plants Guided, Permit-only 4.5/5
Snow Creek Montana Dinosaur bones, plants Guided, Permit-only 4.3/5
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Fossil Dig Tourism in Montana

Montana stands as a global leader in fossil hunting in Montana, offering unparalleled opportunities for family fossil hunting trips in Montana and paleontology field adventures in Montana. The state’s best fossil dig sites in Montana, spanning the Hell Creek, Two Medicine, and Cloverly Formations, attract beginners and experts alike. Sites like the Montana Dinosaur Center in Bynum and Makoshika State Park in Glendive provide public dinosaur excavation areas in Montana, where visitors unearth T. rex, Triceratops, and Maiasaura fossils under expert guidance. Low-cost paleontology tours in Montana, such as those at Carter County Museum’s Dino Shindig, make fossil digging accessible, while exclusive programs at the Judith River Dinosaur Institute offer immersive dinosaur dig vacations in Montana. Although self-guided fossil digs in Montana are limited due to strict preservation laws, guided tours at sites like Beauvais Creek and Willow Creek Anticline ensure hands-on experiences. Montana’s prehistoric site tours are enriched by the Montana Dinosaur Trail, featuring museums in Malta and Jordan showcasing iconic finds like Deinonychus and Stygimoloch. Rockhounding destinations in Montana, such as the badlands near Lismas, reveal common fossils in Montana, including dinosaur bones and turtle shells. Jurassic fossil parks in Montana, like those in the Morrison Formation, yield Allosaurus and Stegosaurus remains, while Hell Creek sites uncover Late Cretaceous treasures. For those wondering where to find fossils in Montana, areas like Gilbert Creek and Snow Creek offer guided excavations, best visited from June to August. With visitor centers, camping, and lodging nearby, Montana’s fossils of dinosaurs in Montana are accessible to all. Whether seeking low-cost paleontology tours in Montana or planning a family adventure, Montana’s fossil dig sites deliver unforgettable experiences in one of the world’s richest paleontological regions.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Fossil Digging in Montana

Can anyone dig for fossils in national parks in Montana?

No, fossil digging in national parks like Glacier is prohibited to protect resources. You can view fossils but must report finds to park staff.

What gear do I need for a fossil dig in Montana?

Most guided digs provide tools like brushes and chisels. Bring sturdy shoes, sunscreen, water, and layered clothing for variable weather.

Are fossil digs in Montana suitable for kids?

Yes, sites like Makoshika State Park and Montana Dinosaur Center offer family-friendly tours for kids as young as 6, with supervision required for minors.

Can I keep fossils I find in Montana?

At private sites like Baisch’s, you may keep some fossils with restrictions. Public sites, like state parks, collect fossils for research, prohibiting personal keepsakes.

What is the best time to visit Montana fossil dig sites?

June to August is ideal due to warm weather and open dig schedules, though reservations are recommended.

 

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