A shuttle will pick up people outside the Forestwood Inn which will bring you to the dig area. Full Day and Half-Day Morning meets at 7:45am. Half-Day Afternoon meets at 12:45pm.
This is a fairly low stress dig. You will be driven nearly all the way to the site, at which point you will need to walk up a slight incline to get to our dig area. Minor shoveling or pick axe work may be needed.
We have a shade tent and picnic tables nearby, where you can sit to cool off, or grab a drink of cold water.
Hat, sunglasses, and of course a camera. We will provide all the tools you will be using throughout the day. Food is also no longer provided, so make sure to pack your lunch, and eat breakfast before you come. We will NOT be returning to town for lunch on Full Days. Please do not pack a giant cooler, to make sure everyone has enough space in the vans (think brown-bag lunch).
No. In the past we were able to provide souvenirs and food for diggers, but that has changed. Please make sure to pack accordingly.
80 million years ago the Pembina Gorge area was underwater – the Western Interior Seaway. We have found mosasuars (giant sea lizards), squid, sea turtles, Xiphactinus & Enchodus fish, Hesperornis birds, and more.
While we have pulled out most of a mosasaur, the majority of what we are finding are parts and pieces. Imagine creatures dying in an ocean, sinking down, being eaten, disturbed - we find lots of single elements. A mosasaur jaw here. A Xiphactinus vertebra there. A rib from a turtle.
No – all fossils found will return to the State Fossil Collection in Bismarck, ND.
Most of the land we search on is State, Federal, or Foundation land (US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Teddy Roosevelt Medora Foundation, etc.), and the NDGS curates whatever is found. Feel free to take photos of whatever you find however!
Yes – we have port-a-potties just off site.
Maybe – the signal varies in the area, but we ask that as courtesy to the other diggers, if you are going to use your phone to chat, please head off site. It tends to get very distracting.
Yes, but just like the cell phone use, as courtesy to the other diggers, we ask that you smoke off site. Please take your cigarette butts with you as well – we want to make sure we keep the area clean.
A non-comprehensive list of local options is below. In the past some people have opted to stay in nearby Canada - HOWEVER please be aware of travel restrictions, and border schedules. If the border doesn't open until 8am, and we leave at 8am, you'll miss your dig!
Forestwood Inn, Walhalla, ND
701-549-2651
Riverside Park Campground, Walhalla, ND
701-521-0544
walhallariversidecampground@gmail.com
The Sherlock Home (AirBND), Walhalla, ND
http://www.airbnb.com/h/sherlockhomewalhalla
Up North Cabins (West of the Pembina Gorge),
https://tinyurl.com/UpNorthCabinND https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1102274339797407838?check_in=2024-04-25&ch…
Moose Creek Lodge, Langdon, ND
https://moosecreeklodgend.com/
Cobblestone Inn & Suites, Langdon, ND
https://www.staycobblestone.com/nd/langdon/
Langdon Motor Inn, Langdon, ND
http://www.langdonmotorinn.com/
Cedar Inn Motel, Cavalier, ND
701-265-8341
One Majestic Place Lodge, Mountain, ND
www.facebook.com/OneMajesticPlace/
701-402-2148
More AirBNBs / campgrounds:
Some local restaurants included below. PLEASE NOTE it can be difficult to find food on Sunday evenings. Plan accordingly. Hours below may not be accurate - call ahead to verify.
Waters Family Restaurant and Bakery
1108 Central Ave. Walhalla
Hours: Monday – Thursday 6am-7pm, Friday – Saturday 6am-9pm, Sunday 8am-2pm
(701) 549-2443
- Jackson’s Bar
1011 Central Ave. Walhalla
Hours: Monday – Sunday 8am-2pm
(701) 549-3183
- Cedar Inn Steak House & Motel
502 Division Ave. S. Cavalier
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-2pm, Mon-Sat 5pm-9pm
(701) 265-8341
- Sporty’s Bar
822 3rd St. Langdon
Hours: Monday – Sunday 12pm-2am
(701) 256-2692