Friends of NDGS Paleo

02/01/2026

As we wind down from a wild general registration day for the 2026 NDGS Public Fossil Digs, here are the stats!

🦖This year, we broke the record for fastest single ticket type sell-out as Family Half Days for the Bismarck Dinosaur Dig sold out in 3 MINUTES!
🦖By 10:11 am, all tickets were purchased or held in shopping carts and no longer available (although some people did not complete purchases and their tickets were released back into circulation)
🦖ALL tickets were officially sold out by 11:10 AM CT!

Congrats to everyone who got tickets! If you did not, we're so sorry! We wish we had the space to take everyone out. If you were not able to get tickets, feel free to add your name to the waitlist. We can't guarantee you will get a spot, but we do have cancellations every year that we fill from the waitlist, so give it a go! https://tinyurl.com/2026fossildigwaitlist

If you're determined to get a spot next summer, check out our Dig Supporters program. Dig Supporters donate to access early registration, guaranteeing you will get spots in next summer's digs. Dig Supporter registration for 2027 will open in October. You can learn more about this program here: https://ndpaleofriends.org/dig-supporters/

01/31/2026

That's a wrap folks! The 2026 NDGS Public Fossil Digs are SOLD OUT as of 11:10 AM CT.

If you didn't get tickets, this year, we're so sorry! You can see how fast we sell out and we wish we could make space for everyone!

You can add yourself to the waitlist here: https://tinyurl.com/2026fossildigwaitlist

Please Note: Joining the waitlist DOES NOT guarantee you will get a spot in the Public Fossil Digs. The digs are very popular and cancellations are rare so there may not be openings on your desired days.

01/31/2026

01/31/2026

Happy General Registration Day!

11:08 AM CT UPDATE - ALL DIGS SOLD OUT

Keep an eye on this post for updates on the 2026 Public Fossil Dig General Registration. We will post as quickly as possible when dates or digs sell out.

Register here! https://2026NDGSFOSSILDIGS.eventbrite.com

Didn't get the dates you wanted? Join the waitlist here! https://tinyurl.com/2026fossildigwaitlist

01/30/2026

Set your alarms! General Registration for the 2026 NDGS Paleontology Public Fossil Digs open TOMORROW Saturday, January 31st at 10:00AM CT.

Register here: https://2026NDGSFOSSILDIGS.eventbrite.com

Don't forget, tickets sell out fast! Like 15 minutes fast! So be prepared to snag your spots right at 10:00 AM Central Time on Saturday, January 31st.

You can see a full list of dates and description of the sites on our website at:
https://ndpaleofriends.org/public-fossil-digs/

Dig prices are the same for adults and youth, but vary based on site:

Bismarck: Full Day (Age 15+) $70
Bismarck: Half Day (Age 10+) $45

Pembina Gorge & Dickinson:
Full Day (Age 15+) $50
Half Day (Age 10+) $35

Join us as we uncover and preserve fossils in North Dakota!

01/24/2026

Registration for the 2026 NDGS Paleontology Public Fossil Digs opens Saturday, January 31st at 10:00 AM CST!

This tutorial walks you through the registration process and gives you some helpful tips and tricks for getting tickets before they are gone!

Remember, tickets generally sell out in 15 minutes for the poplar digs (like Bismarck and any Family Days) and within a couple hours for all digs! Set an alarm and be ready to register RIGHT at 10:00AM CST.

Registration is here: https://2026ndgsfossildigs.eventbrite.com/

Good luck and we hope to see you out on a dig this summer!

01/24/2026

We're only one week away from General Registration for the 2026 NDGS Paleontology Public Fossil Digs!

🦖Make sure you set a alarm/reminder and be ready to register right at 10:00 AM CST on Saturday, January 31st.
🦖Tickets sell out FAST! Especially if you're interested in the popular Bismarck-Area dinosaur dig and any family days.
🦖Have your preferred dates ready to go BEFORE registration opens. You should also have some backup dates just in case!
🦖Make sure you follow all rules for registration including age limits (15+ for full days, and 10+ for Family Half Days)

For more information, check out our website: https://ndpaleofriends.org/public-fossil-digs/

01/20/2026

Hey Dig Supporters!

Please make sure to check your email (including SPAM) for your Dig Supporter codes! Emails were sent out last week with instructions for accessing your early registration spots!

Early registration begins next week and your sign-up day depends on the number of early registration spots you purchased. If you do not select your spots during early registration, we can't guarantee you will still be able to register once general registration opens on January 31st.

Please send us an email at [email protected] or message us here on Facebook if you purchased early registration spots, but did not receive your code.

01/19/2026

We have less than two weeks before general registration for the 2026 NDGS Paleontology Public Fossil Digs opens on January 31st, 2026 at 10:00 AM CST!

Ticket will sell FAST! Last year tickets for our most popular digs were sold out within 15 minutes so be ready to register right at 10:00 AM CST!

Want to insure you'll be able to register for this year's digs? You can by joining the Dig Supporters! Dig Supporters donate to access early registration. We only have 5 Early Registration spots left for 2026 and this Friday (1/23) is the last day to sign up before early registration opens! To learn more or sign up, visit: https://ndpaleofriends.org/dig-supporters/

01/16/2026

Can you believe it's time already?!

General Registration for the 2026 NDGS Paleontology Public Fossil Digs opens Saturday, January 31st at 10:00AM CST.

Early Registration for Dig Supporters opens January 26, 2026. If you purchased early registration spots for 2026, check your email for the early registration code and your specific early registration date.

We hope to see you on a dig this summer!

01/02/2026

Happy New Year!

We're counting down the days until General Registration for the 2026 Public Fossil Digs!

It's not to late to join the Dig Supporters and access EARLY REGISTRATION to guarantee you get to join this summer's digs!

Dig Supporters sign up in the week prior to general registration, the more spots you purchase, the earlier you sign up! This is a great option if you are interested in a Family Day or our very popular Bismarck Dinosaur Dig.

Lear more and sign up here: https://ndpaleofriends.org/dig-supporters

Stay tuned for more info on general registration coming soon!!

11/05/2025

We have exciting news! The dates for the 2026 NDGS Public Fossil Digs are set!

More information on sign ups will be coming soon. In the meantime, if you want access to early registration to guarantee you will have the opportunity to dig with us next summer, there are still a few spots left in the Dig Supporters Early Registration program.

How does that work? Dig Supporters donate to receive access to early registration. Early registration spots are $100 each and one spot = one day for one person at the digs. If you have multiple people or want to dig for multiple days, you will need to purchase additional spots (up to 10 per household).

For more information, visit our website: https://ndpaleofriends.org/dig-supporters

ONLY 100 EARLY REGISTRATION SPOTS will be sold this year, so get them before they are gone!