Northern Utah Dinosaur Museums
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George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park
Located in Ogden, the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park is an eight-acre outdoor museum with full-bodied creatures of the Dinosaur Age, including prehistoric crawlers, predators, marine creatures and flying reptiles dating from the Permian through Cretaceous periods. Realistic sculptures of more than 125 dinosaurs fill the park in a native Utah setting, all reproduced based on the findings of fossil skeletal remains, and accentuated by a high-quality sound system. The 16,000-square-foot museum includes exhibit space, a large paleontology laboratory, offices and a lecture hall.
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Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point
Twenty minutes north of Provo in the town of Lehi, you’ll find Thanksgiving Point, a sprawling museum complex, that includes the Museum of Natural Curiosity, with more than 400 interactive experiences; Farm Country, a working farm where visitors can see the usual, and not-so-usual, farm animals; and Ashton Gardens, a 55-acre botanical garden that includes the largest, man-made waterfall in the Western Hemisphere. It’s also home to The Museum of Ancient Life, an exhibit that features a gallery of 60 complete dinosaur skeletons and more than 50 hands-on exhibits.
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Natural History Museum of Utah
The Past Worlds exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City features an outstanding display of paleontology. It covers eons of Utah's history and includes a frequently updated display of the latest dinosaur finds — such as Utah's state fossil, the Allosaurus, and a dozen other dinosaurs found in the state.
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Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum
In the heart of “Dinosaurland” in Vernal is a can’t-miss virtual tour of our earth’s ancient history, housed in a grand 22,000 square-foot facility. Here you’ll see countless fossils (and a live Fossil Lab), dinosaur skeletons from surrounding quarries, educational exhibits and cultural displays. A highlight is the Dinosaur Garden, an outdoor diorama with numerous full-sized dinosaur replicas, including a 20-foot Tyrannosaurus and a six-ton Stegosaurus.
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Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum
Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum in Price houses fossils from more dinosaur species than any other museum in the country. World-class exhibits of the region’s unique paleontology, archaeology and geology can all be found under one roof.
Southern Utah Dinosaur Museums
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Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm
The Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm in St. George preserves thousands of dinosaur footprints at the original site of discovery. Experts converged on the site to verify and reveal an extensive “trackway." Many other fossils have been found in the area (fish bones, dinosaur bones, leaves and plant seeds and aquatic animal shells) that have allowed paleontologists to reconstruct the approximately 200-million-year-old ecosystem, with a clarity that some call “unprecedented” and a “rarity for rocks of any time period.”
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Dinosaur Museum of Blanding
If you’re planning a trip to Moab and Arches National Park, take a quick drive south to Blanding near Bears Ears National Monument to visit its one-of-a-kind Dinosaur Museum. The museum features a large display of dinosaur eggs and pieces of actual fossilized skin. Don't miss the exhibit on the important role dinosaurs have played in pop culture, media and movies.
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Moab Giants Dinosaur Park and Museum
Start your journey at the Moab Giants Dinosaur Museum by watching a 3D-film about prehistoric life. Then wander about the museum and use the touchscreen terminals to learn more and play educational games — technology is a big part of this museum. Take advantage of the viewing windows to look into labs where scientists are conducting a range of research projects. You are encouraged to do your own experiments as well, by creating fossilized tracks to learn how they were originally made and preserved in stone.
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Utahraptor State Park
Just 15 miles outside of Moab, Utahraptor State Park is a new state park, dedicated to protecting the Dalton Wells area where the famous Utahraptor dinosaur fossil was discovered. While this is a sensitive area that is undergoing plans for expansion – including two campgrounds and a trail system for hiking, mountain biking and ATVs — consider a visit when the park is complete and fully operational.
"Utah offers one of the world's largest collections of mounted dinosaur skeletons interspersed among actual discovery sites."
In Nature & On-Site
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Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry
The Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry within Jurassic National Monument in the northern part of the San Rafael Swell (about 33 miles south of Price, Utah) invites visitors for some hands-on learning. This area is home to the densest collection of Jurassic-era dinosaur fossils ever unearthed — more than 12,000 individual bones, belonging to at least 74 different dinosaurs. Why are there so many? That’s a mystery that you can ponder as you tour the museum and hike on the outdoor trails. Visit one of two bone deposit structures where paleontologists and volunteers can be seen at work during the field season, adding to the site's impressive resume.
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Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackways near Moab
Try out this 15-minute easy trek to see tracks in the red rock likely left by the Apatosaurus and the Diplodocus. To get there, head south on U.S. 191 toward Moab. At mile marker 148, turn east on a dirt road to the trailhead for Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackways.
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Dinosaur National Monument
Northeastern Utah’s dinosaur legacy comes to life at Dinosaur National Monument, where geological and climatic forces have tilted, warped and eroded the earth’s crust to reveal a treasure trove of fossils. Located on the Utah border with Colorado, there is something for everyone here. Take your pick of touring the dinosaur quarry, going on driving tours around the park, hiking the nature trails, backpacking, whitewater river running, taking photos, bird-watching, fishing, general sightseeing and biking.
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Dinosaur Tracks Trail near Moab
This is an 0.2-mile easy hike above the Colorado River to a tilted boulder featuring the tracks of the three-toed Allosaurus. It’s perfect for families to discover ancient trackways together.
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Hanksville-Burpee Dinosaur Quarry
This 10-acre quarry in the San Rafael Swell is a fossil hunter’s mecca. Scientists first started researching here in earnest 11 years ago and the excavation site has yielded the discovery of thousands of pounds of dinosaur bones. This is definitely a site for the more advanced and patient dino searcher, with a summer volunteer program or expert-led quarry tour.
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Moccasin Mountain Dinosaur Tracksite near Kanab
It doesn’t get much more picturesque than being surrounded by beautiful sandstone cliffs as you hike this 0.5-mile round trip trail. Along the way view hundreds of dinosaur tracks with at least six different types of footprints from the early Jurassic time period.
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Red Fleet Dinosaur Trackway
This 1.5-mile trek along a moderately rugged trail at Red Fleet State Park and Reservoir will not disappoint the dinosaur fanatic or the casual hiker. At the trail’s end, you’ll have to work just a little to find the tracks of the 200-million-year-old dilophosaurus, which reside in the slickrock shores of the reservoir.
Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry
Dinosaur footprint in San Rafael Swell
Dinosaur National Monument
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Trekking Along the Dinosaur Diamond Highway
Utah’s Dinosaur Diamond Highway is the perfect guide to experience ancient history, millions of years in the making.
Highlights
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Jurassic National Monument
- San Rafael Swell
- Dead Horse Point State Park
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Southern Dinos and Goblins
From fossils and petroglyphs to slot canyons and goblins, you’ll have four days of “oohs” and “ahhs” for the whole adventuring family.
Highlights
- Moab Adventures
- Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
- Natural Bridges National Monument
- Goblin Valley State Park
Discover More
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A First-ever Camping Trip on BLM Lands
As a new resident of the western United States, I’ve discovered the gift of recreating on public lands. Though daunting at first, after researching and waiting too long, the time finally felt right to try camping on BLM lands in Utah’s dinosaur country. There is no shame in trying something new.
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A Visitor's Guide to Zion's Kolob Canyons
In the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, you’ll find a scenic wonderland with an adventure for everyone. Learn more about this unforgettable attraction and plan a visit.
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An Old Favorite Fishing Hole at the Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Visit Utah columnist Dan Potts takes us to his "secret" fishing hole on Utah's Flaming Gorge Reservoir, one of the world's most diverse fisheries set among the brilliant red rock walls of Red Canyon in the easternmost corner of the state. Along the way, Dan takes us through some of his favorite landscapes on the drive to and from Salt Lake City.
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Backpacking in Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park offers a spectrum of backpacking opportunities — from short trips at designated backcountry campsites to longer, adventurous trips that require extensive planning and desert canyon navigational knowledge.
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Backpacking the High Uintas Wilderness [VIDEO]
Field notes — plus a short film — on backpacking the High Uintas Wilderness. Pursue solitude, extended moments of introspection, cutthroat trout and the Milky Way.
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Dog-Friendly Utah: The Road to Mighty
Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Check it out and plan your trip!
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Enjoying the Simple Pleasures of Lake Life on Palisade Reservoir
Utah’s beautiful Palisade Reservoir is an oasis of serene water in the central part of the state, a perfect getaway for paddling, fishing, swimming and camping.
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Escalante River Canyon Trail
Located in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Escalante River Canyon river trail winds and knots its way east and south.
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Exploring Utah's Little Sahara
Little Sahara Recreation Area is an unforgettable destination for sand dunes in Utah and ATV, camping, hiking, and sand-boarding enthusiasts.
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Field Notes: Backpacking With Children
Author Tim Sullivan shares his tips and tricks on backpacking with his young children.
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Find a Winter Refresh in a Utah State Park
The best Utah state parks will entice you with ice fishing, white sand and snow-dusted scenery. Take a winter break to refresh with a visit to a few of these places.
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Fishing Fish Lake
The largest natural mountain lake in Utah, Fish Lake sits at more than 8,800 feet of elevation, which makes for pleasant weather all summer long. Located near Richfield, Utah, the lake has everything you need for a relaxing summer getaway.
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How to Backcountry Camp Responsibly
Four tips on how to camp more thoughtfully and responsibly in Utah's backcountry.
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How to Camp on Utah’s BLM Lands
Read these insights and tips gathered from a novice’s first-ever camping trip on BLM and public lands to gain the confidence you need to recreate happily and respectfully on Utah’s public lands.
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How to Take a Kayak & Camping Trip at Yuba State Park
Pristine sandy beaches, warm water temperatures all summer long and serene mountain views make Yuba State Park an appealing destination for campers and kayakers in sunny Central Utah.
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Knobby Tired Nomads: Bikepacking the Utah High Country
If you’re into bikepacking, Utah is a place you’ll want to check out. Read about a self-supported tour of Utah’s backcountry here, and start planning your trip.
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Like a BOSS (Boulder Outdoor Survival School)
Have a couple of weeks? Learn to survive in the wild. Hard work? Most definitely. Sign up for challenging survival education Utah's great outdoors.
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Looking Up: Dark Skies of Heber Valley
A trio of state parks in Heber Valley offer stellar views of the Utah night sky. Come stargaze here.
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Meet the Fremonts: Unearthing an Ancient Civilization
Did you know that interstate highway construction created Fremont Indian State Park? Visit the park and Museum for a peek into Utah’s past, plus hiking and ATV trails.
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Moab Under Canvas: Glamping
If you’re looking for a luxurious camping experience, Moab Under Canvas is just the ticket. Book your stay in a fully-furnished canvas tent in canyon country!
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The Story of Starvation Reservoir
Sprawling waters and local legends at Fred Hayes State Park at Starvation.
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Utah’s Scenery Offers A Backdrop for Inclusive Family Camping
While Utah is known for its amazing outdoors, it also has resources that ensure that families and individuals of all abilities can access these places.
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Walking The Line Between Risk and Responsibility
Why a Hawaii-based highliner and influencer hasn't returned to Utah — yet.
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Wild Heber: Close-to-Home Adventure
Just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, Heber Valley’s state parks and national forest lands offer a world of adventure. Hike, bike, camp, kayak, watch wildlife and reel in blue-ribbon trout while learning about nature and how to protect it.
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Women in the Wild: Transformation and the Outdoors
Paula Colman joins a weekend retreat for women in Moab, Utah, that has an eye-catching mission: Build your tribe. Connect with your inner spirit. Transform body, mind and spirit around the theme: “Ignite the Flame Within.” Follow along as she seeks her authentic self and learn how to find your own Tribe.
