Each visitor will be able to take a fossil home with them. If you happen upon a fossil of scientific significance, the museum will bring that fossil into our collection and your name will be included as the finder in the international fossil record. If you find more than one fossil, you get to keep your favorite, and any additional fossils will be saved for visitors who weren't able to find one.
Quarry Dig
Dig for Real Fossils
Dig into the past at the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum’s Quarry in Mantua, NJ! Unearth real fossils from 66 million years ago at this incredible site, where over 100,000 fossils, including mosasaurs, sea turtles, and shark teeth, have been found.
Your fossil adventure includes up to 60 minutes of hands-on digging and a fossil to take home! Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes (rubber boots recommended). All guests who enter the quarry need a ticket; children 2 and under are free. Visitors must be at least 16 to dig independently.
Experience the thrill of discovery on this unforgettable, hands-on journey into the past!
BUY QUARRY TICKETS
General Admission & Quarry Tickets
Add the Quarry Dig to your general admission tickets for an additional $25. All guests 3 years and older are required to have a ticket. Visitors must be 16 years old to dig alone. Members may use Member ID at checkout for discount.
BUY GENERAL ADMISSION & ADD-ON QUARRY
Quarry Only Tickets
Interested in just coming to dig? Our $34 Standalone Quarry ticket is for you! All guests 3 years and older are required to have a ticket. Visitors must be 16 years old to dig alone. Members may use Member ID at checkout for discount.
BUY QUARRY ONLY TICKETSAbout the Quarry Dig Experience
What is the Quarry?
Dig into history at the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum Quarry! This 45-foot-deep, former Inversand marl pit has revealed over 100,000 fossils since the 1920s. Remarkably, its green-tinged earth contains the planet's sole evidence of the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Today, you can excavate and keep real fossils at this active research site in our Quarry digging experience.
Who can come dig?
Explorers of ALL ages will enjoy our Quarry Dig Experience! This experience is $25 ($20 for members) as a museum add-on, or $34 for the dig experience only! All adventurers need a ticket, except those 2 and under who enter free with a paying adult, and guests 16 and under must be accompanied by a grown-up for this unforgettable, hands-on journey into the past.
What to Expect?
This is a hands-on outdoor adventure, with 60 minutes being digging time - the rest is fossil education and identification. You'll come down to our 45-foot deep quarry, where you'll dig for fossils with guidance from our Fossil guides. Be prepared to get dirty as you unearth your prehistoric treasures and learn to identify them!
What should I bring/wear?
Get ready for an epic and messy outdoor adventure! Bring sunscreen and a water bottle, and definitely pack a change of shoes or clothes for a clean ride home (especially if you plan to re-enter the museum). Wear comfortable and close-toed footwear like rubber boots to fully enjoy digging deep into the prehistoric fun.
Accessible Dig Area
For visitors who may be uncomfortable navigating uneven quarry terrain, unable to climb, or who use a wheelchair, we offer an accessible fossil-digging experience. Guests can sift through real quarry material at a table, ensuring everyone can enjoy a hands-on fossil discovery experience.
About the Quarry Dig Experience
What kinds of fossils might you discover in the Quarry?
DOWNLOAD FOSSIL GUIDEQuarry FAQ
Can I keep what I find?
Each visitor will be able to take a fossil home with them. If you happen upon a fossil of scientific significance, the museum will bring that fossil into our collection and your name will be included as the finder in the international fossil record. If you find more than one fossil, you get to keep your favorite, and any additional fossils will be saved for visitors who weren't able to find one.
When is quarry-digging season?
The Quarry is open seasonally from approximately March to November.
The Quarry is open seasonally from approximately March to November.
Do I need to dig deep?
Luckily, we’ve done most of the hard work! Our quarry is already 45 feet deep – the perfect depth for uncovering amazing finds! So, when you're searching for fossils, you'll only need to dig a small hole; keep it shallower than your wrist to ensure you don't miss any treasures. After you've made your discoveries, please remember to fill in your hole to help us keep everyone safe. Happy fossil hunting!
Luckily, we’ve done most of the hard work! Our quarry is already 45 feet deep – the perfect depth for uncovering amazing finds! So, when you're searching for fossils, you'll only need to dig a small hole; keep it shallower than your wrist to ensure you don't miss any treasures. After you've made your discoveries, please remember to fill in your hole to help us keep everyone safe. Happy fossil hunting!
What if I find something really cool?
If you discover something truly special, EFM may keep it for scientific research, but you’ll get credit in our Collections notes and future displays. Your discovery could be famous!
If you discover something truly special, EFM may keep it for scientific research, but you’ll get credit in our Collections notes and future displays. Your discovery could be famous!
What should I expect on the day of my Quarry dig?
Please arrive at the outdoor Fossil Field Station approximately 5-10 minutes before your scheduled time slot. You can dig for up to 60 minutes with some additional time for Fossil Identification.
Please arrive at the outdoor Fossil Field Station approximately 5-10 minutes before your scheduled time slot. You can dig for up to 60 minutes with some additional time for Fossil Identification.
Can I come down to the quarry and just watch my kids dig?
Anyone going down into the Quarry will need to purchase a ticket (with the exception that those 2 years of age and under are free with a paying adult).
Also, please note that children under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian present with them in the quarry.
Anyone going down into the Quarry will need to purchase a ticket (with the exception that those 2 years of age and under are free with a paying adult).
Also, please note that children under the age of 16 must have a parent or guardian present with them in the quarry.
Can I just come to dig in the quarry?
You may purchase a standalone quarry-only ticket for $34 HERE.
You may purchase a standalone quarry-only ticket for $34 HERE.
What is EFM’s inclement weather policy?
The Quarry Dig Experience is an outdoor, seasonal event that operates from approximately March to November. It is designed to be an all-weather experience. However, in the event of extreme weather conditions that could cause the Quarry to close, guests can either reschedule their experience within six months or receive a full refund. If weather delays occur but the Quarry reopens within a reasonable timeframe, no refund will be issued, though efforts will be made to provide the best possible experience.
For more info on our inclement weather policy, visit www.efm.org/terms.
The Quarry Dig Experience is an outdoor, seasonal event that operates from approximately March to November. It is designed to be an all-weather experience. However, in the event of extreme weather conditions that could cause the Quarry to close, guests can either reschedule their experience within six months or receive a full refund. If weather delays occur but the Quarry reopens within a reasonable timeframe, no refund will be issued, though efforts will be made to provide the best possible experience.
For more info on our inclement weather policy, visit www.efm.org/terms.
What should I wear/bring?
Get ready to get your hands dirty and have an adventure! Here's what you'll want to bring to make the most of your epic quarry experience:
• Sunscreen: Protect yourself while you dig in the sun - no one wants a sunburn to ruin the fun!
• Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated as you uncover ancient treasures. Your water bottle is your best friend on this adventure. There will be water, hats, lip balm, water bottles, magnifying glasses, and sunscreen available for purchase at the fossil field station.
• Wipes/Towels: Things might get a little messy, so pack some wipes or towels to clean yourself up after your dig.
• Spare Shoes/Clothes: We recommend keeping an extra pair of shoes and clothes in your car to keep everything nice and clean for the ride home!
• No open-toed shoes: For safety reasons, we do not allow open-toed shoes in the quarry. We suggest wearing boots.
Important Reminder: To help us keep the museum clean and enjoyable for everyone, we kindly ask that you save your Quarry Dig Experience for the end of your visit. If you happen to get too muddy, we may need to ask you to clean up before entering the museum. We will have storage containers next to the site for small personal items while you're busy digging, but leave at your own risk - EFM is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
No personal or metal tools allowed. We'll provide plastic shovels and buckets for digging fun! So, roll up your sleeves, embrace the dirt, and let’s dig into the adventure of a lifetime! 🦖
Get ready to get your hands dirty and have an adventure! Here's what you'll want to bring to make the most of your epic quarry experience:
• Sunscreen: Protect yourself while you dig in the sun - no one wants a sunburn to ruin the fun!
• Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated as you uncover ancient treasures. Your water bottle is your best friend on this adventure. There will be water, hats, lip balm, water bottles, magnifying glasses, and sunscreen available for purchase at the fossil field station.
• Wipes/Towels: Things might get a little messy, so pack some wipes or towels to clean yourself up after your dig.
• Spare Shoes/Clothes: We recommend keeping an extra pair of shoes and clothes in your car to keep everything nice and clean for the ride home!
• No open-toed shoes: For safety reasons, we do not allow open-toed shoes in the quarry. We suggest wearing boots.
Important Reminder: To help us keep the museum clean and enjoyable for everyone, we kindly ask that you save your Quarry Dig Experience for the end of your visit. If you happen to get too muddy, we may need to ask you to clean up before entering the museum. We will have storage containers next to the site for small personal items while you're busy digging, but leave at your own risk - EFM is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
No personal or metal tools allowed. We'll provide plastic shovels and buckets for digging fun! So, roll up your sleeves, embrace the dirt, and let’s dig into the adventure of a lifetime! 🦖