Shoofly Sand Pit (Fossils): Geologic Field Trip
Schedule
Sat Apr 04 2026 at 10:00 am to 03:00 pm
UTC-06:00Location
Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology | Boise, ID
Join us for a field trip to a sand pit near Shoofly (Bruneau) to collect small fossils and petrified wood from ancient Lake Idaho.About this Event
Join Steve Schaps for a new geological field trip to the Shoofly Sand Pit located about 70 miles from Boise. The sand pit contains abundant small fossils from Lake Idaho deposits and petrified wood that you collect off the surface just by walking around. The field trip will also include archeological shaker tables that people can use as a group to sift sand for fossils (Kids love doing this!). NOTE: The sand pit is a public site located 4 miles west of the Shoofly Oolites (sand castles) location that you could visit after the trip if you wanted to go on your own.
Please bring a long-handled garden shovel, if possible.
We will meet at the Albertsons Parking Lot on Hwy 21 and Federal Way at 9:45 AM (near McDonalds). Steve will arrange carpools at this location. The roads are paved except for the last 1.7 miles, which is a good-quality dirt road suitable for most (but not all) vehicles. We will return to the carpool location in Boise at ~3 PM.
No dogs please. Bring lunch and beverages and dress for the weather.
Pre-registration required for this event. This trip and all of our 5 or 6 different field trips are FREE for museum members and children so please join or renew your individual or family membership for 2026. www.idahomuseum.org/membership
We seldom cancel, but if we do, we need a functioning email from you. The one you used to register on Eventbrite will be used. A full refund is given if the Museum cancels the field trip.
Contact: [email protected] with any questions.
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About Steve Schaps: Steve has a BS and MS in Geosciences and an MBA in finance. He has previously led numerous group trips to the Oolite Shoals and many to the fascinating Bruneau area. Steve is a member of the IMMG and an informed and motivated guide for interesting geologic sites near Boise.
This Geologic Field Trip is sponsored by the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, 2455 Old Penitentiary Rd, next to the Old Pen in East Boise.
This adventure requires a waiver. By signing up for this Geologic Field trip you agree to the following: The registered individual accepts and does hereby assume any and all risks for himself and those on his ticket, for possible dangers and hazards involved in connection with the field trip designated above, offered by the IDAHO MUSEUM OF MINING AND GEOLOGY (IMMG), and does hereby SAVE AND HOLD HARMLESS the trip leader(s), IMMG and all officers and representatives of IMMG from any and all claims, losses, or damages, including attorney’s fees and costs because of said claims, on account of injury, death, property damage, and inconvenience or loss of money due to delay or other cause that may rise, by reason of my participation in the field trip. I understand that my use of alcohol or drugs would impair my judgment and coordination and will hold IMMG harmless from any claims arising from my use of either. I understand I am responsible for carrying my own automobile, life, and health insurance.
www.idahomuseum.org
Where is it happening?
Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology, 2455 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise, United StatesUSD 0.00 to USD 23.18
