Las Vegas continues to reinvent entertainment, and one of its most unexpected attractions is Dig This, a hands-on heavy-equipment playground. Rather than the usual glitz and glamour, this experience puts visitors behind the controls of real construction machinery — from track-type bulldozers to hydraulic excavators — for a memorable, adrenaline-filled change of pace.
Dig This was founded by New Zealand native Ed Mumm, who discovered the joy of operating heavy equipment while renting an excavator during a home project. He turned that personal discovery into a business model designed to let others enjoy the thrill of moving earth and mastering large machines in a safe, supervised environment.
Located at 3012 S. Rancho Drive, roughly five miles west of the Las Vegas Strip, Dig This occupies a five-acre site featuring a 2,850-square-foot office that includes a gift shop and a training area. The facility opened with a roughly $1 million investment and is staffed by a small, experienced team.
Visitors choose from three-hour packages that begin with a 30-minute safety and operations orientation followed by two hours of hands-on time operating one of the on-site machines. The park currently operates five pieces of equipment: two Caterpillar D5 track-type bulldozers and three Caterpillar 315CL hydraulic excavators. During sessions, participants can practice tasks such as digging trenches up to 10 feet deep, constructing earthen mounds, or taking part in skill challenges like moving 2,000-pound tires or scooping basketballs placed on safety cones.
Packages are priced at $400, a rate that reflects the cost of equipment upkeep, fuel, and insurance required to operate heavy machinery safely for the public. Participants must be at least 14 years old. The park maintains strict safety protocols and provides professional instruction to ensure every guest can enjoy the experience with confidence.
Dig This has attracted a broad range of customers, from tourists seeking an alternative Las Vegas activity to locals looking for a unique outing. Company spokeswoman Cathy Wiedemer notes that about half of their guests are women — including homemakers and grandmothers — who find operating powerful equipment empowering and fun.
Whether you’re eager to test your coordination on massive machines, build a dramatic dirt mound, or simply try something completely different from the usual Las Vegas offerings, Dig This provides a safe, well-run opportunity to do so. It’s an unconventional attraction that highlights how the city keeps expanding the boundaries of entertainment and hands-on experiences.