Penn Dixie’s guided tours are led by our trained staff and volunteers who provide age-appropriate presentations on the history of planet Earth. Participants will learn about deep time, extinct life, Western New York’s environment during the Devonian Period and – of course- fossil collecting! Your group will experience earth science in a unique, hands-on, outdoor setting, so be sure to dress for the weather! All geological specimens found during field trips may be kept by participants. Our group tours typically last 2 hours, but can be adapted to shorter lengths to meet your group’s needs.
From mid April to late October, we welcome:
School groups (Pre K-12 through college)
Homeschool co-ops
Day care groups
Scout and youth organizations
Special needs groups
And more!
Our group tour rate is $10 / person. 1 free teacher/chaperone is included with every 10 participants, and additional adults are $10 each. For groups of 10 or less participants, a flat rate of $100 applies. Payment for group tours must be made in one transaction. We accept cash, card, and business checks.
Trips that are not booked by formal educational institutions (schools, colleges, etc.) are subject to a deposit of $100. The remainder of your trip’s balance is due before or on the day of your visit.
A covered picnic pavilion is available for use on most days for group’s to use for lunch. There is a $25 fee to reserve the picnic pavilion for a 30 minute lunch time. There are two large picnic tables & a number of backless benches underneath the pavilion, and there are more picnic tables located just outside the pavilion. We have hand sanitizer at the pavilion as well as a garbage can for trash – you do not need to pack out your group’s garbage. Penn Dixie staff remain with your group during lunch time. You must request use of the pavilion when submitting your booking request.
Any changes to your reservation, including final group numbers, must be made 48 hours prior to your scheduled visit. If your group cancels without giving 48 hours notice, we still will pursue payment for your scheduled trip. Notice of any changes or cancellation must be emailed to our Program Director at robin@penndixie.org. Any trips canceled by Penn Dixie will receive a full refund.
To book a group tour, please use the form below or call (716) 627-4560. Bookings must be requested 2+ weeks in advance.
Update: Membership gift packs are temporarily unavailable.
Your lucky recipients will enjoy one year of Penn Dixie membership and all sorts of goodies for new and returning fossil hunters!
Membership Gift Packs are available with either Family ($109.99) or Individual ($59.99) membership certificates. Free shipping! Membership is not activated until application and gift certificates are redeemed. Certificates are redeemable upon first visit during seasonal park hours (May – September) or via mail.
One year Family Membership – $90 value — with unlimited free admission for two adults and up to four children/grandchildren under age 18 -OR- Individual Membership – $40 value — with member benefits for one adult;
Four Trilobite guest passes — $64 value;
Trilobite bandana — $5 value;
Penn Dixie sticker — $2.50 value;
Amazing Arthropods gift box — $6 value;
Two tool rental coupons — $20 value;
Penn Dixie koozie — $5 value;
Trilobite patch — $3.50 value;
One “Fossil Four Pack” grab bag containing Penn Dixie fossils — $5 value;
One “Global Explorer” grab bag containing fossils from around the world (shark teeth, dinosaur bone pieces, oysters, Moroccan sea snails) — $5 value;
Penn Dixie eNews updates & digital newsletter subscription; and
Savings on special events and in our gift shop.
You’ll receive all of these items — over $200 value — inside a custom-designed, locally screened artisan box that features paleoart by Ernst Haeckel and is perfect for storing your fossil collection. Please note that the contents of our gift packs periodically change! The list above is what is currently in our gift packs.
Attention teachers, activities directors, program coordinators, scout leaders, and more! Are you looking for some fossil fun during the colder months? Let us bring Penn Dixie to you with our newest outreach program, Dig In!
Participants become paleontologists as they dig through material from Penn Dixie and learn about Buffalo’s prehistoric past! During this outreach program, a Penn Dixie educator facilitates the hands-on exploration of WNY’s ancient environment while discussing the animals that lived in our area 380 million years ago during the Devonian Period. Participants will also learn the fundamentals of fossils and fossilization.
Dig In can be catered to explorers of all ages and abilities, but is recommended for ages 5+.
After the program is over, you keep the reusable dig boxes full of rocks and fossils, along with teaching materials, so that you can recreate the fossil fun for years to come!
Program capacity:
Dig In can be booked for up to 32 participants at a time. If your group size is larger than 32 people, you will need to book an additional program(s). One dig box is suitable for up to four people. Dig box dimensions: 5 inches high, 8.25 inches wide, 13.5 inches long.
Pricing:
For groups of 16 participants or less: $200 (Plus mileage)
For groups of 17 – 32 participants: $250 (Plus mileage)
For evening programs with a start time of 5 pm or later, an additional $25 charge will be added.
Includes:
1 hour program with a Penn Dixie educator
Reusable dig boxes (with shale and fossils)
Replacement fossils
“Free Child Admission with Purchase of Adult Admission” coupons (optional)
All of the teaching materials needed so that youcan recreate Dig In again and again!
Use the form below to request this program! You can also call 716-627-4560, with questions or to book.
Want a more personalized fossil hunting experience? Your small group (2 – 10 people) can book a private collecting expedition in the true style of field paleontology. Your guide — a knowledgeable and experienced member of our staff — will take you on a journey through our 54-acre park in search of a range of fossils.
During the two-hour guided tour, you’ll visit our most prolific spots where you’re guaranteed to find fossils — all of which you can keep for your collection. Your guide will also take you to some unexpected places in search of more exotic fossils, including armored fish and the legendary “golden” trilobite. After the guided portion, you can remain on site to continue collecting at your leisure on days we are open to the public.
Included:
Two-hour professionally guided expedition
Tool and bucket rental for collecting
One complimentary copy of ‘Field Guide to the Devonian Paleontology of New York’ by Karl A. Wilson for the group
Adults $75, Children $65, Members save 10% – please note that our ticketing software charges a % processing fee.
Private expeditions are available for all ages, but recommended for fossil hunters ages 10 & up. We can schedule an expedition for any day of the week, most times during the year — even when Penn Dixie is closed to the public!
Please contact us if you have concerns about accessibility. We will work with you to plan an expedition best suited to your needs.
Since expeditions are outdoors, we recommend appropriate footwear (e.g., sturdy boots), seasonal dress in layers, sunscreen, shade hats (e.g., wide brim hats or pith helmets), and sunglasses. Adverse weather conditions affect our ability to provide private expeditions, especially during the months. If we must cancel your expedition due to weather, you will receive a full refund.
Penn Dixie is famous for its trilobites — extinct arthropods who dominated the seas for 270 million years — but other fossils are just as plentiful if you know where to look.
