Expeditions are the backbone of your dinosaur roster in Jurassic World Evolution 3. They send scientists to dig sites, bring back fossils and valuables, and unlock the genetic data you need to incubate new species. Here’s how to set up your park for successful digs, run efficient teams, and see exactly what each dig site unlocks.

Set up the Expedition Center (power, staffing, workflow)

Build an Expedition Center first. It costs $75,000 and draws two units of power, so place it within range of a Backup Generator or a Substation connected to a Power Station. Keep uptime steady with a Maintenance Facility and a Maintenance Post near the Expedition Center and your power source, and assign a Maintenance Team to that post.

Hire scientists by constructing a Staff Center ($45,000). This is where you recruit and train staff, raising their skills so fewer scientists are needed per task. You’ll also need a Science Center for fossil processing. When expeditions return, this is where you extract genome data from fossils and sell any high-value minerals your team brought back. Extraction tasks require scientists with sufficient Genetics skill points.

Send a dig team using the Expedition Map

You can launch expeditions directly from the Expedition Center or via the Expedition Map in the Control Room.

  • Open the expedition interface and hover over a map marker to preview the species available, the expedition cost, and the required scientist skills.
  • Assign a scientist (or team) that meets the requirements and start the task. Expeditions take time and money to complete.
  • When the team returns, open the Science Center to extract DNA from the collected fossils and, if you wish, sell any valuables for cash.

Once you’ve reached 100% of the available genome at a dig site, its marker turns green, and you can’t visit it again.

Use Expedition Center upgrades

The Expedition Center has upgrade slots that add targeted benefits. Options include faster yields, storm defense, and an extra scientist slot. These upgrades cost money to install, but they cut downtime, reduce risk, or raise output—useful when you’re pushing for specific genomes or operating during severe weather.

Unlock new dig sites across the campaign

Your initial expedition map includes a handful of sites. As you progress through parks around the world, more sites unlock, revealing additional dinosaurs and reptiles. Some categories unlock by reaching Security Reputation milestones. Use the table below to track where each set of dig sites comes online.

Dig site category Species available Unlock requirement
Carnivores Compsognathus, Dilophosaurus Available at start
Herbivores Edmontosaurus, Galimimus, Lystrosaurus Available at start
Tiny Herbivores Microceratus, Psittacosaurus, Protoceratops Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Small Herbivores 1 Struthiomimus, Pachycephalosaurus, Ornithomimus Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Small Herbivores 2 Homalocephale, Stygimoloch, Archaeornithominus, Dryosaurus Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Medium Herbivores 1 Maiasaura, Corythosaurus Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Medium Herbivores 2 Iguanadon, Olorotitan, Parasaurolophus, Muttaburrasaurus, Tsintausaurus Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Medium Herbivores 3 Therizinosaurus Progress through Sichuan Basin, China
Large Herbivores 1 Aatosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Patagotitan Progress through Sichuan Basin, China
Large Herbivores 2 Diplodocus, Mamenchisaurus, Dreadnoughtus Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Armored Herbivores 1 Ankylosaurus, Nodosaurus, Chungkingosaurus Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Armored Herbivores 2 Nasutoceratops, Sinoceratops, Styracosaurus, Triceratops, Lokiceratops Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Armored Herbivores 3 Stegosaurus, Chasmosaurus, Gigantspinosaurus, Sauropelta Progress through The Azores Islands, Portugal
Piscivores Spinosaurus, Baryonyx, Suchomimus Progress through Katsuyama, Japan
Omnivores Oviraptor Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Tiny Carnivores Moros Intrepidus, Proceratosaurus Security Reputation 15
Small Carnivores 1 Dimetrodon, Atrociraptor, Pyroraptor, Deinonychus Progress through Katsuyama, Japan
Small Carnivores 2 Guanlong, Herrerasaurus, Velociraptor, Coelophysis, Troodon Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Medium Carnivores 1 Allosaurus, Ceratosaurus, Utahraptor, Metriacanthosaurus Security Reputation 35
Medium Carnivores 2 Concavenator, Yutyrannus, Albertosaurus Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Large Carnivores Gigantosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex, Carnotaurus, Acrocanthosaurus, Qianzhousaurus Security Reputation 55
Marine Animals 1 Ichthyosaurus, Plesiosaurus, Kronosaurus, Dunkleosteus Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Marine Animals 2 Mosasaurus, Attenborosaurus, Megalodon Progress through Sichuan Basin, China
Flying Reptiles 1 Dimorphodon, Tapejara, Caiuajara Progress through Clark County, Nevada
Flying Reptiles 2 Pteranodon, Tropeognathus, Geosternbergia Progress through Kauai, Hawaii
Flying Reptiles 3 Quetzelcoatlus, Thanatosdrakon Progress through Kauai, Hawaii

What to do when fossils return

Open the Science Center to process the haul from your expedition. Choose which fossils to extract DNA from and which valuables to sell. Extracting raises genome completeness for each species; once you’ve hit the thresholds you’re targeting, you can take that genome into your hatcheries to bring new animals into the park.

Tip: If you’re focusing on a specific roster, spend upgrades and scientist time on faster yields and the genetics skills you use most. You’ll reach 100% on key species faster, free up dig teams, and prevent wasted site visits that you can’t repeat later.

With the Expedition Center powered, staffed, and upgraded, your park’s expansion hinges on picking the right sites at the right time. Keep an eye on Security Reputation to open the carnivore tiers, push campaign progress for the regional unlocks, and don’t forget to monetize the minerals that come back with your fossils. That extra cash can fund the next dig before the helicopters even land.