Fossil Hunting at Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry, Utah
PROHIBITED
Not permitted at this location
Key Conditions
- All public fossil collection is prohibited under the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA, 16 U.S.C. §§ 470aaa et seq.) — applies to all vertebrate fossils on all federal land including BLM
- Unlike some BLM casual-use sites, Cleveland-Lloyd's status as a National Natural Landmark and active research quarry means even surface invertebrate fossil collection is not permitted
- Scientific research excavation is conducted under PRPA permits by qualified research institutions — University of Utah and others have active agreements with the BLM Price Field Office
- Visiting the site, viewing fossil material in the visitor center, and observing active excavation (when in progress) is permitted and free of charge
- No permit category exists for public collection at this specific site
All fossil collection prohibited — PRPA criminal penalties
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry is an active scientific research site on BLM land. Fossil collection by the public is prohibited under the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA).
- Casual vertebrate fossil collection: prohibited on ALL federal land
- First offense: up to $100,000 fine and 2 years imprisonment
- Trafficking: up to $250,000 and 5 years imprisonment
This applies regardless of specimen size, perceived scientific value, or whether excavation is ongoing. Observe, photograph, and report — do not collect.
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry sits in the Morrison Formation mudstones of central Utah's Emery County, approximately 30 miles south of Price. Excavation at the site began in earnest in the 1920s through the 1940s, initially under commercial fossil dealers and later under university and museum programs. By the 1960s it was operating under the direction of the University of Utah in partnership with the BLM.
What makes Cleveland-Lloyd exceptional is not simply the quantity of fossils — over 12,000 bones from more than 74 individuals — but the anomalous species composition. In most Morrison Formation assemblages, herbivorous dinosaurs outnumber carnivores by roughly 5:1, reflecting typical ecological ratios. At Cleveland-Lloyd, Allosaurus alone accounts for approximately 70% of all specimens. At least 46 Allosaurus individuals have been identified from the quarry, more than from all other sites in the world combined. This inversion of the expected predator-prey ratio is what drives the predator trap hypothesis and makes the site a focus of ongoing research.
The BLM Price Field Office manages the site as a National Natural Landmark and maintains a small visitor center with fossil displays, interpretive exhibits, and a viewing window into the active quarry area. Visiting during the summer season provides an opportunity to observe ongoing scientific excavation — a genuinely rare public access experience.
Visiting Cleveland-Lloyd
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry Approximately 30 miles south of Price, UT on Hwy 10 then east on county roads.
- Open: Fridays–Sundays, Memorial Day to Labor Day (hours vary; call ahead)
- Cost: Free
- Facilities: Visitor center with fossil displays, restrooms, picnic area
- Contact: BLM Price Field Office, (435) 636-3600
Important: The access road has an unpaved section that may be muddy or impassable after precipitation. Call ahead in spring or after storms.
Do not attempt to visit outside open hours — the site is remote and unattended when closed.
How to make the most of a Cleveland-Lloyd visit
- 1
Call ahead to confirm hours
Cleveland-Lloyd is only open on a seasonal, limited schedule. Call BLM Price Field Office at (435) 636-3600 before making the 30-mile drive from Price — a closed site in this location is a significant inconvenience.
- 2
Review interpretive exhibits in the visitor center
The visitor center has fossil specimens, geological cross-sections, and exhibits explaining the predator trap hypothesis and the site's excavation history. Spending 20–30 minutes with these exhibits before going to the quarry makes the site significantly more meaningful.
- 3
View the active quarry area
The quarry building provides viewing access to the excavation area where fossil material is still being documented and removed. If research is actively in progress, you may be able to observe professional paleontologists at work — ask staff about current research activity.
- 4
Walk the fossil trail
A short outdoor fossil trail near the visitor center passes through Morrison Formation outcrops with interpretive signs explaining the stratigraphy and fossil-forming conditions. Surface bone fragments may be visible in the mudstone; observe but do not collect.
- 5
Continue to San Rafael Swell for legal collecting
The San Rafael Swell BLM land south and west of Cleveland-Lloyd allows casual surface collection of common invertebrate fossils. Contact BLM Price Field Office for current accessible areas and species guidance before heading out.
Permits & Licenses
| Permit | Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Public collection permit | No | No such permit exists for the public. PRPA scientific permits for vertebrate fossil collection are issued to qualified researchers associated with accredited research institutions. Contact BLM Price Field Office: (435) 636-3600 for information on ongoing research permit holders. |
Time & Seasonal Restrictions
- No collection of any fossil material — vertebrate, invertebrate, trace fossils, or plant material — from this site
- No digging, probing, or disturbing the ground surface
- No use of any collection tools
- The quarry building and interpretive areas must be accessed during open hours — do not access the quarry exterior when the site is closed
- Do not disturb any flags, stakes, or markers left by research crews — these mark documented fossil locations
Equipment Notes
- Camera — the visitor center displays dozens of bones and specimens; photography allowed
- Water and sun protection — the site is remote high desert at approximately 5,700 feet; no nearby services; summer temperatures exceed 100°F
- Passenger vehicle adequate — the access road from Hwy 10 south of Price is approximately 30 miles, mostly paved with a short unpaved section; passable by standard vehicles in dry conditions
What People Find Here
- Allosaurus fragilis — Cleveland-Lloyd has produced more Allosaurus specimens than any other site in the world; the quarry is sometimes called the 'Allosaurus capital of the world'; at least 46 Allosaurus individuals identified from the site
- Stegosaurus stenops — multiple specimens; one of the secondary finds at the site
- Camarasaurus, Barosaurus, Diplodocus, Brachiosaurus — multiple sauropod genera
- Torvosaurus, Ceratosaurus — additional theropod genera
- Total: 16+ species, 74+ individuals, over 12,000 bones — all excavated by permitted researchers; none collectible by public
Penalties for Violations
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| Violation | Statute | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Casual collection of vertebrate fossil material | PRPA (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa-9) | Federal felony for first offense if value exceeds $500; fines up to $100,000 and 2 years imprisonment; civil penalties also available |
| Trafficking in illegally collected paleontological resources | PRPA (16 U.S.C. § 470aaa-9(b)) | Enhanced penalties: fines up to $250,000 and 5 years imprisonment |
Etiquette & Leave No Trace
- Respect research equipment and markers — active research is ongoing at Cleveland-Lloyd; disturbing flagging, stakes, or surface preparations directly impairs scientific work
- Report any fossil material you notice eroding out of the cliff faces or in the quarry vicinity to the site staff or BLM Price Field Office; this is exactly the kind of observation that contributes to ongoing research
- Do not approach or access the quarry building outside of open hours
Nearby Alternatives
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| Site | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| San Rafael Swell — BLM (Utah) | 40 mi | BLM land adjacent to Cleveland-Lloyd; common invertebrate fossils may be collected under BLM casual-use policy |
| Grand Staircase-Escalante NM — BLM | 155 mi | BLM-administered monument; common invertebrate fossil collecting allowed under personal-use limits |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Cleveland-Lloyd a BLM site but still has no public fossil collecting?
Most BLM land does allow casual surface collection of common invertebrate fossils under the personal-use policy. However, the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA) prohibits casual collection of vertebrate fossils on ALL federal land regardless of managing agency. Cleveland-Lloyd's quarry is an active vertebrate fossil research site — PRPA applies here with full force. Additionally, the site's National Natural Landmark designation creates additional management obligations to protect the values that justified the designation.
Why is there so much Allosaurus at Cleveland-Lloyd?
The reason for the extraordinary Allosaurus concentration remains somewhat debated. The leading hypothesis is a predator trap — a murky or boggy watering hole that attracted herbivores as prey, followed by carnivores that also became mired. The disproportionate ratio of Allosaurus to prey animals (approximately 3:1, the inverse of most fossil sites) supports this. Whatever the explanation, Cleveland-Lloyd has produced more Allosaurus material than all other sites combined, making it centrally important to understanding the most common large Late Jurassic predator of North America.
Is Cleveland-Lloyd free to visit?
Yes. Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry is free of charge and managed by the BLM Price Field Office. The site is open Fridays–Sundays from roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day, plus some additional dates — check the BLM Price Field Office website or call (435) 636-3600 for current season hours before visiting, as the remote location makes a closed-site trip a significant inconvenience.
Where can I legally collect fossils near Cleveland-Lloyd?
The San Rafael Swell BLM land surrounding and south of Cleveland-Lloyd allows casual surface collection of common invertebrate and plant fossils under BLM's personal-use policy (up to 25 pounds per day). Vertebrate fossils on BLM land require a PRPA scientific permit regardless of location. The San Rafael Swell has Cretaceous marine invertebrate and Permian/Triassic material at various localities — contact the BLM Price Field Office for current accessible areas.
Disclaimer
Information is provided for general guidance only. Regulations change frequently. Always verify current rules with the official jurisdiction before relying on this information for legal decisions. Permitted Pursuits is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Report an error.
Sources
- BLM — Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry(accessed 2026-04-30)
- Paleontological Resources Preservation Act — PRPA (16 U.S.C. §§ 470aaa et seq.)(accessed 2026-04-30)
- BLM Price Field Office(accessed 2026-04-30)
- Madsen, J.H. (1976) — Allosaurus fragilis: A Revised Osteology. Utah Geological Survey Bulletin 109(accessed 2026-04-30)
Last verified: 2026-04-28 · Last updated: 2026-04-28