Dinosaurs in Utah

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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. 

5 Road Trip-Worthy Restaurants in Kanab, Utah

Written By Andrew Dash Gillman

4 minute read

Hungry for a culinary renaissance? Or a small-town staple? Whatever you’re craving, fuel your outdoor adventures at these favorite Kanab restaurants.

A Sweet-Tooth’s Guide to Downtown Provo

Written By Visit Utah

3 minute read

We’ve set out on a walk in search of Provo's best treats. We were not disappointed.

Artisan Cheese in Red Rock Country

Written By Darby Doyle

8 minute read

Two decades ago, Randy Ramsley traded his Dockers-and-tie city job for a 50 acre plot of land that he called a “Garden of Weedin” and the dream of establishing a sustainable farmstead. Now travelers from all over the globe know the small market and counter-service restaurant at Mesa Farm as a refreshing “must-do” respite seemingly plunked in the middle of nowhere on Highway 24 east of Capitol Reef National Park.

Best Après Ski Bars in Park City and Beyond

Written By Austen Diamond

4 minute read

Want to master the art of après? Here’s your guide to the best après-ski bars in Park City and the Wasatch Front.

Discover the Breweries of the Wasatch Front

Written By Matcha

5 minute read

Over the past two decades, Salt Lake’s breweries have grown into a culture all their own. Here’s what you need to start planning a pub crawl with this collection of Salt Lake’s most popular breweries.

Eating Up Mount Timpanogos

Written By David Vogel

3 minute read

Learn about the Utah farms near Mt. Timpanogos that produce luscious lettuce and artisan cheese. Make your own plans to “eat up” Mt. Timpanogos!

Heber Eats

Written By Paula Colman

4 minute read

Heber Valley is a basecamp for adventure with none of the crowds! With restaurants, bakeries, yurt dining and more there is never a shortage of places to eat.

Hell's Backbone Grill

Written By Matcha

Boulder, Utah sits at the edge of wilderness, but Hell's Backbone Grill culinary ethics and farm-to-table cuisine puts most city dining to shame.

Kiva Koffeehouse

Kiva Koffeehouse is a welcome stop for fresh food and espresso tucked on a hillside down a dirt driveway near milepost 73 on the scenic byway.

Meet the Women Leading Utah's Food and Beverage Renaissance

Written By Darby Doyle

When it comes to food and beverage in Utah, there are key influencers who have been the proponents of change, growth, and the role of women in Utah’s food scene.

Mesa Farm Market

Best local shops and healthy eats near Moab and Capitol Reef. Try the goat cheese!

More Than Coffee: The Caffeinators of Salt Lake City

Written By Austin Wright

8 minute read

The unique Salt Lake City coffee community is ready to embrace you. When you visit Utah, try all the capital city's coffee shops and styles to find your favorite cup.

Navajo: Fry Bread, Tacos, Pizza

Despite its troubling origins, Navajo fry bread is an inspired food of the nation’s people, and it can be found in many forms with various names around the southwest.

Short List: Local Salt Lake City Nightlife Picks

Make the most of winter's shortened daylight by extending your Utah ski trip into the night. Sure, some resorts offer incredible night skiing — so, okay, after that — but then the night really gets going in downtown Ski City.

The Hills are Alive With the Scent of Whiskey

Written By Cody Kirkland

4 minute read

The first of several legal Utah distilleries since 1870 is the High West Distillery. Tour the facility, enjoy a tasting, build your flight and have a burger.

The Spice of (a New) Life

Written By Austen Diamond

4 minute read

Some of the best food in Salt Lake City is served in the Spice Incubator Kitchen. Come visit this international culinary kitchen for a treat to your taste buds.

Utah Spirits Tours

Written By Darby Doyle

5 minute read

Utahns have rediscovered distilling. Sample the merchandise on a gin distillery tour, stay for dinner and taste Utah whiskey, vodka and more on other tours.

Utah's Rum Underdogs

Written By Darby Doyle

6 minute read

Utah distilleries are becoming very popular. Distillery 36 is rising to the top of the list. Drink in their story and then let’s toast with Brigham agricole rum!

Utah’s Fruit Way: Harvest Time Along Old Highway 89

Written By Darby Doyle

6 minute read

Headed to Bear Lake, Golden Spike National Historical Park or the Bear Lake Migratory Bird Refuge? Stock up with fresh road-trip snacks and dinner provisions direct from family-run farm stands, all within a stone’s throw of the region’s many historic farms and orchards.

Utah’s Women Make History

Written By Darby Doyle

5 minute read

Walk in the footsteps of Utah’s earliest women’s suffrage leaders at sites throughout downtown Salt Lake City. Along the way, view public art installations commemorating voting rights and stop at trail-adjacent local women-owned businesses.

Want Wine? Utah Has an App for That!

Written By Paula Colman

Search for and locate any wine, beer or spirit in the entire statewide inventory using an app.

Welcome to the 5%: Liquor Laws Support Utah's Vibrant Craft Brew Scene

Written By Matcha

While Utah still has some unconventional liquor laws on the books, they aren’t an impediment to enjoying the local creations. So raise a glass to your next trip to Utah — you won’t be disappointed.

Where to Eat and Drink in St. George

Written By Elainna Ciaramella

6 minute read

As you explore St. George and Greater Zion seeking excellent food, coffee and drinks, you’ll want to add these top restaurants to your list.

Where’s the Meat?

Written By Darby Doyle

5 minute read

Taking the blue highways, finding a local diner or picking up fresh fruit from a family-run farm store gets us that much more in touch with the flow of seasons and feeling grounded in our sense of place as we travel. And shrinking the circle of our food sourcing has become a priority for many people even, and especially, while on the road.

Women in the Wild: Transformation and the Outdoors

Written By Paula Colman

11 minute read

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.