Arrive Friday afternoon to check in at the St. George Inn & Suites and connect with fellow participants over a welcome dinner (included).
Saturday begins with breakfast before exploring the renowned Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm, home to an extraordinary Early Jurassic tracksite preserving dinosaur footprints from 200 million years ago. After a picnic lunch (included), enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of collections and the fossil prep lab, followed by free time and an evening geology talk with Dr. Jerry Harris.
On Sunday, take part in a true field experience—excavating fossils at the Substation Quarry alongside local experts. After a picnic lunch (included) and more digging, unwind at the hotel before a group dinner (included).
Monday features a full-day field excursion with Lead Paleontologist Andrew Milner, exploring regional geology, lesser-known dinosaur tracksites, and scenic sandstone landscapes. Dinner is on your own.
On Tuesday, wrap up with a visit to the Red Hills Desert Garden, where dinosaur tracks are preserved among striking Navajo sandstone. Departure follows, with flights recommended after 1:00 PM.
Trip size is limited to 8–12 participants, ensuring an intimate, hands-on experience.
DATE/TIME
October 23rd – October 27th
Program starts and ends in St. George (airport and/or hotel – arrangements dependent on time of arrival); flights to/from St. George is independent, on your own, and not included in the price of the program.
TRIP LEADERS
Dinosaur Ridge Staff members Barbara Farley and Alyce Olson will be your trip coordinators/leaders. “Allosaurus Alyce” is our Lead Tour Guide at the Ridge and has been guiding tours all over Colorado since 2014. Alyce brings her experience and enthusiasm to every bus tour and works with all of our bus tour guides to do the same, with the goal of turning every ancient footprint and fossil into something wondrous for visitors. Barbara is the Director of Volunteers and has many years of experience in environmental education and coordinating experiential travel programs for various organizations.
Our local experts will include Andrew Milner, Lead Paleontologist and Curator at SGDS and Dr. Jerry Harris, Professor Emeritus, Utah Tech University and Science Advisor to SGDS.
COST
Cost: $1600 per person; $1500 for members
Includes:
- Hotel with full breakfast (4 nights)
- Transportation in a rented 15-passenger van, in and around St. George sites
- Museum/program costs
- All picnic lunches, and two group dinners
- Trip Guides
LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION
Flights to/from St. George are independent and not included in the cost of the program. Please arrange to arrive at the St. George airport by 4pm on Friday, October 23rd, or – alternatively – by 5pm at the hotel. If you choose to meet us at the St. George airport, we will meet at a predetermined location in the “Arrivals” for transportation to the hotel. All transportation during the trip will be provided by a 15-passenger van.
ACCOMODATIONS
Best Western Coral Hills
125 E St George Blvd, St. George, UT 84770
Complimentary full breakfast, 2 pools, hot tub
PHYSICAL EXERTION LEVEL/ACCESSIBILITY
Our visit to the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm will be easy and accessible, and primarily an indoor experience.
Our time at the Substation Quarry dig site will include walking over uneven terrain, possible scrambling, sitting or kneeling on the ground, digging, for 5 hours outdoors. This site requires a more moderate exertion level and is not ADA-accessible. (An alternative option is for individuals to return to the museum for additional exploration.)
Our field trip day will involve a mild-moderate level of physical exertion with some short ½ -2 miles of walks/hikes outdoors on dirt paths or possible uneven, natural terrain.
The Red Hills Desert Garden includes both indoor and outdoor spaces and is designed for an accessible experience with a low level of physical exertion.
PACKING LIST
- Clothing layers in anticipation of changing weather
- Clothes that can get dirty while digging, sitting and/or kneeling in the dirt/sand at the fossil quarry.
- Comfortable shoes for walking and standing in the museum
- Hiking boots (or sturdy closed-toe footwear suitable for walks/hikes and field dig)
- Daypack
- Wide-brimmed sun hat, sunscreen, long-sleeve UV protective clothing
- Large refillable water bottle or two
- Trekking poles (optional)
- Work gloves, rock hammer, small or medium chisels, hand lens (optional)
TRIP CANCELLATION POLICY
This trip is contingent on a minimum of 8 registered participants and will be cancelled by September 15th if the minimum is not met. If the trip is cancelled by Dinosaur Ridge, participants will receive a full refund of program fees paid. All participant-initiated cancellations must be received in writing.
- Cancellations received 90 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a full refund.
- Cancellations received 60 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for an 80% refund.
- Cancellations received 30 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a 50% refund of program fees.
- Cancellations received 15 calendar days or less prior to departure are assessed a cancellation fee of 100% of the program fees. You may transfer your registration to another attendee or forfeit your payment.
