If you like rocks and wide open spaces, Kemmerer, Wyoming should be on your list. We’ve gone fossil fishing here several times over the years. And it is always (always!) awesome.
Southwestern Wyoming holds a fossil bonanza: the remains of thousands of 52 million year old fish, evidence of a vast lake that spanned sections of what is now Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho. Fossil Butte National Monument is here, as well as the original JCPenny Store, hundreds of pronghorn antelope, and big green vistas. It’s my kind of paradise!
Natural History
Before you head out to one of the many fossil quarries in the area to dig your own fossils, check out Fossil Butte.
This national monument is a treasure trove of natural history information.
Here, you can learn about the Green River formation, the rock layer that holds these treasures, and the ecosystem of the ancient lake where these fish once lived.
You can also check out a huge variety of fossils, watch fossil preservation in progress, and even go for a hike to the original fossil quarry.
The Green River formation is famous for its diversity, abundance, and high degree of fossil preservation. Because there was a layer of saltwater at the bottom of the lake scavengers avoided the dead fish that sunk to its bottom, aiding in their preservation. In addition, there was very little oxygen at the bottom of the lake which also kept scavengers away.
And, there was a microbial mat that grew on the lake bottom. When dead animals drifted down onto the mat, it quickly grew over the animals which held them in place. This prevented them from breaking apart.
Because animals were so well preserved, there are many fossils in the rock layers. The majority of them are fishes. But other fossils include crocodilians, lizards, snakes, birds, bats, small horses, amphibians, and insects. Because of the variety of fossils, we know a lot about the ecology of this ancient lake. This info (and much more) is found at Fossil Butte National Monument. Definitely a great place to start your fossil explorations.
The Quarries
There are many different options for prospective fossil hunters around Kemmerer, Wyoming. Some are fully guided expeditions and some are more casual with no reservation needed. This link details all the options and is really useful in planning your “fishing trip.”
Over the years, We’ve visited the two main “drop in” quarries at least five times, starting back in the 90s(!) And we’ve found fossil fish every single time — many of them!
The two quarries we’ve visited: American Fossil and Fossil Lake Safari are right next to each other, with similar set ups, prices, and facilities.
When you arrive, you are provided with a chisel and rock hammer and a rack to hold the fossils you find. After a short orientation and demo, you are free to go fishing! The quarry staff have done the hard part: digging down to the fossil layers and setting these out in the air. Your job is to use the hammer and chisel to split the layers of rock to reveal the fossils inside.
There are tons of fish out there — though many are missing tails… or heads.
Some are “exploded fish” that filled up with gasses back when they were still flesh and bone, and then exploded, leaving a vaguely fish-shaped collection of bones and scales.
There are also a lot of corprolites, or fossilized poops. And a very ocassional rare find like a ray or gar.
Here are some of the fish we found a few weeks ago:
Once you’ve finished fishing, you can use the quarry’s saws to trim your finds for easier transport. The staff here provide help if needed.
What fun! Splittinng those rocks is like playing the fossil lottery. You just never know what you might find in there!
A Few Fishing Videos
If you are looking for more details, or want to get a better sense of the place, we made a short video of our most recent Fishing trip to American Fossil in Kemmerer:
…And we also made a longer video of our time exploring this area last year: In this one, we hit the first day of the season– Brrrr! It was more challenging to split the cold wet rocks.
Whenever you go, Kemmerer’s fish quarries are a whole lot of fun!
A Slightly Rough Road
A quick note: The drive into these quarries is somewhat rough, about 7 miles of hilly, bumpy, washboard road. Our van ate that road up, though we had to slow for sheep.
The blue bus made it okay, too. But we did shake loose something in the door mechanism enroute. So be aware that these spots are not on pavement.
And: if it’s been raining, DO NOT head out to the quarries. The last mile or two is silty clay or “gumbo.” And if it’s saturated, forget about it! One year, I tried driving out after a torrential rain and slid off the road. (That was in a little Nissan truck, not our van — whew!)
But if the road’s dry, any vehicle should be able to make it. Just take it slow.
Camping In and Near Kemmerer
If you are into boondocking, you should have little trouble finding a place to camp. There are a few pull-outs along the road to the above quarries which would do in a pinch. And back in the 90s, I camped in the parking lot of American Fossil (with permission). Best to ask ahead if you are hoping to do that. Things are more formal these days.
More recently, we’ve had good luck camping about 10 miles north of Kemmer at Lake Viva Naughton State Recreation Area. Camping here is free and there are pit toilets, picnic tables and a boat ramp. In May, this spot was lovely (though chilly):
When we returned the following year in mid-June, it was hot and swarming with mosquitos(!) We ended up boondocking on the ridge beside the road to avoid the worst of them. But it was still peaceful and beautiful. Check out that moon!
If this kind of camping is not your thing, there are many other options nearby. And Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area and Bear Lake Resort Area are within a few hours of Kemmerer.
Always on the Way
Hard to believe one of the easiest and most productive fossil sites in the country is just off I-80 in Southwest Wyoming, but it is. And on the way to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, too! And if you are a lover of wide open spaces and a rockhound like me, there’s no better way to spend a day or two than fishing in Wyomings fossil quarries.
Discover more from Following Our Blus
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.