Bone Cabin Quarry

Bone Cabin Quarry is a paleontological excavation site near Medicine Bow, Wyoming, containing fossil remains from the Jurassic period embedded in rocky terrain. The location shows exposed stone layers across the landscape where scientists worked to uncover the ancient bones.

Walter Granger from the American Museum of Natural History discovered the site in 1897, starting a period of exploration that continued until 1905. Under the direction of Henry Fairfield Osborn, vast quantities of fossil material were collected during these eight years.

The site takes its name from a cabin built nearby using fossilized bones as construction material, showing how settlers creatively used what the land provided. This distinctive building method became part of local lore and reflects how people adapted to the resources available in the remote landscape.

The site is not open to visitors and cannot be accessed by the public. Rock River, Wyoming serves as a reference point for orientation if you want to explore the surrounding region.

The excavation yielded nearly 500 dinosaur parts including remains of Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, and Gargoyleosaurus, an unusual combination of species from different groups. This mix of various animals helped scientists understand which creatures lived together during the Jurassic period.

GPS coordinates: 41.96710,-106.29100

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:07