Did you grow up loving dinosaurs and wanting to learn more about them? Or maybe you have kids at home hoping to discover and explore prehistoric adventures as they learn more about dinosaurs. If so, a road trip to Utah may be the next vacation for you and your family to take.
Utah is filled with several different dinosaur parks to help your family discover more about our prehistoric friends. We’ve narrowed down the numerous dino parks in Utah to show you our favorites. Here are 9 amazing dinosaur destinations in Utah:
1. Natural History Museum of Utah - Salt Lake City
Want to be one of the first people in Utah to discover a new dinosaur fossil? If you take a trip to visit the Natural History Museum of Utah, you just might be. When a new species of dinosaur has been discovered in Utah, this is sometimes one of the first places it ends up.You’ll find all different kinds of fossils found from newly discovered species inside of a beautiful building. It’s filled with lots of educational activities and games for your children - and maybe you’ll learn a new thing or two about dinosaurs and their fossils as well.
2. Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point - Lehi
Looking at different dinosaur bones is of course incredibly fun, but getting hands-on experience is also a unique adventure as well. You can get that at the Museum of Ancient Life. This is one of the largest dinosaur museums in the world that includes over 60 complete skeletons and lots of hands-on exhibits.You’ll find a lot of opportunities to “dig” in and learn more about prehistoric times. Kids can play in and explore the paleontology lab as well as see different shark and dino skeletons around the exhibits. There is also a sand and water table for the kids to enjoy.
3. Eccles Dinosaur Park - Ogden
You’ll find tons of interactive touch screens and educational opportunities at this park. Something that sets this museum apart from the others is the different dinosaur statues located all around the venue.These statues look very life-like and majestic when they’re standing in their natural visually-appealing setting. This park includes real-life fossils, dinosaur footprints, and a dino-themed playground for the little ones.
4. Dinosaur National Monument - Jensen
This exhibit gives off a brand new vibe as it has recently been renovated to showcase more than 1,500 dinosaur bones located on its famous “Wall of Bones”. Some of these bones even allow interaction and the ability to touch them as you learn more about these ancient fossils.The site contains more exploring and adventure than most as you and your family will have the opportunity to whitewater raft, drive down the different exploration routes offered, go camping, take hikes and more.
5. Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry at Jurassic National Monument - Emery County
Many Utah dinosaur bones and fossils have been found in this specific site, so this could be one of your favorite destinations to visit. Upon arrival at the museum, you and your family get the chance to enter a building holding several bones buried there as you walk around and admire each fossil.Not only will you get to look at all of these bones yourself, but you’re also able to watch paleontologists work and dig as they conduct research to study the different dinosaur bones and fossils. You’ll also get a chance to head outside and walk down three different hiking trails.
6. BYU Museum of Paleontology - Provo
If you’re looking for a museum filled with giant and valuable artifacts, this is a great site to visit. Located close to the football stadium at Brigham Young University is an abundance of prehistoric collections. This free and compact museum is a quick and exciting stop on the rest of your dino Utah tour.
7. Utah Field House of Natural History - Vernal
This dinosaur attraction contains a dinosaur garden that can be found outside. In this garden, you’ll see several full-sized replicas of all different kinds of dinosaur species like the famous Triceratops, T-Rex, and many more.
Once you head inside, you’ll see a giant skeleton of a Diplodocus as well as opportunities to learn about dinosaurs with the different activities offered in the interactive building.
8. St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm - St. George
This museum was created in 2000, so it’s still newer than the others on this list. A slab of rock was found by Dr. Sheldon Johnson that contained preserved dinosaur footprints. He decided to go forward with this discovery by turning the rest of his land into a dinosaur museum.
Though it may be little and smaller than most, it is fierce. This museum is known to be one of the most essential museums in the world for anyone who is currently researching or studying work centered around early Jurassic footprints. This museum helps people learn more about how different behavior patterns of dinosaurs including how they traveled and survived in the prehistoric era.
9. Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail - Moab
If you’re looking to explore for a little bit one day, this brief trail is a great adventure for you and the family. You’ll see several dinosaur bones and fossils found on the different rocks along the trail you’re venturing down.
Not sure what different dinosaur fossils look like? There are several signs along the trail to inform people of what kind of bones are located where and lets you know what kind of prehistoric creature they came from.
Whether you’re looking for a day of dinosaur digging or want to pack a whole week’s worth of dino exploring, these destinations could be perfect for you. They’re filled with different interactive adventures to help you and your family learn more about prehistoric times and engage in fun, family-bonding activities together.