Dinosaur State Park
More than 750 visible dinosaur tracks remain under a geodesic dome beside trails and an arboretum planted with ancient lineages.
Artwork inspired by James Perry Wilson
Construction workers uncovered the trackway in 1966, exposing one of North America’s largest on-site displays of Early Jurassic dinosaur footprints. The exhibit center protects the original rock surface rather than relocating it, while casts, fossils, and a Mesozoic-themed arboretum extend the story beyond one trackmaker.
The grounds and trails are free, but the exhibit center charges admission and closes on Mondays. Casting activities, films, and programs have schedules or extra requirements. Begin with the trackway, compare stride and direction, then walk the arboretum to separate true Mesozoic plant lineages from theatrical “dinosaur gardens.” The arboretum outside reconnects fossil evidence with living plants.
- Visible tracks
- More than 750
- Age
- Early Jurassic
- Discovery
- 1966
Quick guide
- Read a trackway
- Follow repeated prints for direction and stride, not just shape.
- Meet living lineages
- Use the arboretum to connect fossils with plant history.
Know before you go
- Start under the dome
- Orient to the preserved bed before handling casts.
- Compare directions
- Look for overlapping trackways rather than one perfect print.
- Check activities
- Casting and programs are not automatically available.
- Walk the arboretum
- Notice conifers, cycads, and other ancient lineages.
Good to know
The exhibit center, grounds, and trails have different hours and fees. Pets are excluded from the nature trails and exhibit building, and the casting area may close because of weather or staffing.
Notice these
- In-place trackway
- Geodesic dome
- Mesozoic arboretum