Dinosaur History: Things to Do In Moab
Paleontologists have made an astonishing discovery in the Moab area, unearthing a remarkable collection of dinosaur remains nestled within its ancient rock formations. This region boasts one of the most remarkable records of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures found anywhere in the country.
The Moab area provides a fascinating glimpse into the past, as rocks from the Mesozoic Era are exceptionally well-preserved and easily accessible. This era, spanning approximately 252 million to 66 million years ago, can be divided into three distinct periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. It is towards the end of the Triassic period that dinosaurs make their appearance in our area.
Southeastern Utah, with its rich fossil record, offers an abundant supply of bones and remarkable tracks that have been beautifully preserved within the sedimentary layers dating back to the Mesozoic age. The Moab region, in particular, stands out for its exceptional collection of dinosaur fossils. Not only do we find the mighty reptilian dinosaurs, but also their avian counterparts, as birds themselves are classified as reptiles under the Archosauria group, also known as the “ruling reptiles.” Additionally, this area includes the remains of fascinating creatures such as pterosaurs, commonly referred to as “winged lizards,” and crocodilians.
In summary, the Moab area is a true treasure trove for paleontologists, offering a wealth of dinosaur fossils and other ancient remains. Its unique geological features and the abundant fossil record spanning millions of years make it one of the most significant sites in the country for uncovering the mysteries of the Mesozoic Era and the fascinating creatures that once roamed our planet.
Did You Know?
First Utah Dinosaur Discovery
The first dinosaur discovery in Utah happened in 1859 (coincidentally, this was fifty years to the day prior to the discovery of the first bones found at the site later known as Dinosaur National Monument).
Moab Dinosaur Discoveries
Many dinosaurs have been found around Moab, including a small carnivorous dinosaur from the Triassic, a large Camarasaurus from the Jurassic, a gigantic Brontosaurus also from the Jurassic, and Cretaceous dinosaurs such as Utahraptor and Gastonia.
Resources and Information
Preservation
Localities like these are rare and need to be preserved for generations to come. Please be cautious and considerate when observing these dinosaur bones and tracks. Do not walk on the actual fossils. Collecting vertebrate fossils from Public Lands is illegal and violators will be prosecuted. Any disturbing, casting, rubbing or pouring anything into the fossils, including tracks, is expressly forbidden under federal regulations [43 CFR 8365.1-59a0 910].
Moab’s Dinosaur Trails
There are numerous tracksites in the Moab area, such as the Mill Canyon Tracksite shown here, where you can get a glimpse of an era when huge creatures roamed the earth. This tracksite is a short walk with interpretive panels along the trail and boardwalk. Each panel describes unique dinosaur tracks that can be seen at this site, including eight different types of dinosaurs, along with a crocodile resting trace. (See below for location information.)
Moab’s Dinosaur Tracks
Dinosaur tracks are also very abundant around Moab. Tracks of dinosaurs of Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous age occur all around the area at sites including the Dinosaur Stomping Grounds, Mill Canyon, Poison Spider, Copper Ridge, Willow Springs, and Hell’s Revenge tracksites, to name just a few. There are also many tracks of non-dinosaurs. Interestingly, track evidence of ancient crocodiles is found at tracksites north of Arches National Park, in a uranium mine near the La Sal Mountains, and at the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite. Pterosaur track fossils are common in the region and are highlighted in the museum at Moab Giants. Finally, tracks of proto-mammals occur at many sites in the Navajo Sandstone in our area, in deposits that represent ancient sand dunes.
A World Class Dino-Record
Many dinosaurs have been found around Moab, including: a small carnivorous dinosaur from the Triassic north of town; a large Camarasaurus from the Jurassic, found south of town and on display at the Museum of Moab; a gigantic Brontosaurus also from the Jurassic, found just a few miles north of Moab and on display at the Museum of Paleontology at Brigham Young University; Cretaceous dinosaurs from just north of town such as Utahraptor (life-size model at Moab Giants) and Gastonia (cast skeleton on display at the Museum of Moab). The record of dinosaurs and other ancient animals in the Moab area is, as you will see, one of the best in the country.
Dinosaur Sites Near Moab
-
Description:
The Bull Canyon Overlook site is northeast of Moab. It features the tracks of at least one theropod (meat eating dinosaur). Stride length measurements at the site indicate one or more dinosaurs moving at different speeds, this makes Bull Canyon Overlook unique. These tracks are located in the late Jurassic Entrada Sandstone. The United State Forest Service (USFS) is in the process of placing interpretive signs in the area, and parking is less than 100 yards from the site.How to Get There:
From Moab, go north on US Hwy 191 for 2.5 miles to the intersection of UT-128 (River Road). Turn right and head east 15.5 miles. At the La Sal Loop Road intersection (turn to Castle Valley) turn right and continue 10.7 miles. Continue on this road (FR207), do not follow the La Sal Loop Road signs when they turn right (southwest). Continue 5.4 miles passing the signs for Fisher Mesa. Approximately ½ mile beyond the Fisher Mesa turn park in the lot on the left (northeast) just before the road turns to dirt.GPS Coordinates for the Trailhead:
38.615833, -109.223333 -
Description:
The Copper Ridge site, north of Moab, features the tracks of a sauropod (long-necked dinosaur) and the theropod (meat eating dinosaur). The many different kinds and sizes of dinosaur tracks make Copper Ridge unique. The preservation of the tracks is fantastic, and this site is well worth a visit. There are tracks made by a sauropod (probably a Camarasaurus, Apatosaurus, or Diplodicus), as well as Allosaurus and small mammal tracks, all dating back to the Jurassic period. The BLM has placed interpretive signs in the area, and parking is less than 100 yards from the site.How to Get There:
From Moab, go north on US Hwy 191 for 23 miles. Turn right ¾ miles past milepost 148. Cross the railroad tracks and follow signs south on the dirt road. It is 2 miles to the tracks from the highway. If coming from the north, (I-70), turn left ¼ miles past milepost 149 and continue south on the dirt road.NOTE: The dirt road is suitable for passenger cars driven carefully. AVOID this road when wet!
GPS Coordinates for the Trailhead:
38.830078, -109.76335 -
Description:
A gradual up-hill 1.7 mile hike is required (3.4 miles round trip). The pedestrian trail parallels a mountain bike trail then branches off, follow rock cairns to the Jurassic age tracksite. There is a net elevation gain of 459 feet.How to Get There:
From Moab, go north on US 191 for 23 miles. Turn right 3/4 mile past milepost 148. Cross the railroad tracks and follow the main road for 1 mile. Take the right fork (left fork goes to the Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracksite) and continue for just over half a mile to the North Klondike Mountain Biking Trailhead parking area. Trail departs from here. A high clearance vehicle is recommended.GPS Coordinates for the Trailhead:
38.819711, -109.756814 -
Description:
The Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite is a short walk with interpretive panels along the trail and boardwalk. Each panel describes unique dinosaur tracks that can be seen at this site, including 8 different types of dinosaurs, along with a crocodile resting trace.How to Get There:
15 miles north of Moab on US 191. Turn left on the dirt road marked “Mill Canyon.” Follow signs for the next 0.8 miles to the parking lot for the trail, located to the right in the rock lined parking area.GPS Coordinates for the Trailhead:
38.720714, -109.733994 -
Description:
Get a glimpse of an era when huge creatures roamed the earth. Dinosaur bone still encased in rock may be viewed in Mill Canyon by following a short nature trail near the Monitor and Merrimac trails. This is a short self-guided interpretive trail. There are signs along the way. A free pamphlet for this trail is available at the Moab BLM office, the Moab information Center or by clicking here.How to Get There:
Drive 15 miles north of Moab on Hwy 191, turn left onto a dirt road marked Mill Canyon. This road is just north of milepost 141. Cross railroad tracks. Proceed 0.6 miles on this dirt toad to a “Y” intersection. Keep left for 0.5 more miles to reach the intersection to the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail. The trailhead will be 0.6 miles farther. The dirt road crosses a short sandy wash.GPS Coordinates for the Trailhead:
38.712275, -109.739742 -
Description:
Two rock slabs with footprints of meat-eating dinosaurs are visible from the pull-out on Hwy 279 or the parking lot of the Poison Spider trailhead. One slab is at the base of the cliffs, a second slab is halfway down the slope, just above the cliff that drops down to the road. The lower slab contains the tracks of at least 10 different meat-eating dinosaurs, ranging in size from 17 inches to 5 feet at the hips. All of the animals appear to have been walking at speeds of 3 miles per hour.How to Get There:
From the center of Moab, travel north on Hwy 191 for 5.9 miles and turn left on Hwy 279. Continue 6 miles to the Poison Spider trailhead. Parking lot is up on the top of the hill.GPS Coordinates for the Trailhead:
38.532712, -109.608879 -
Description:
The Willow Springs site features the tracks of theropods and ornithopods (three-toed dinosaur) and those from sauropods (long-necked dinosaur). The numerous tracks at this site were made about 165 million years ago by dinosaurs waling in the tide-lands of an inland sea that lay to the east of this area. The tracks are preserved in the hard sandstone of the Entrada Formation. Theses tracks have been exposed for numerous years, and the tracks are beginning to erode. The sauropod tracks may appear as only potholes to the general viewer, with the three-toed tracks being easier to see. The BLM has placed interpretive signs in the area.How to Get There:
From Moab, go north on Hwy 191 for 12 miles. If coming from I-70, go south on Hwy 191 for 18.7 miles. The tracksite is 3.4 miles off of Hwy 191, on the Willow Springs Road. A wide loose sand wash will have to be crossed.- Turn right onto the Willow Springs Road, off US Highway 191.
- 1.4 miles – take the left fork to Willow Springs.
- 1.7 miles – stay right on the main road and continue straight towards the Klonzo Trails area.
- 2.9 miles – stay right.
- 3.4 miles – arrive at tracksite
GPS Coordinates for the Trailhead:
38.700925, -109.640959NOTE: The dirt road is suitable for passenger cars driven carefully. AVOID this road when wet!
Paleosafari Moab Giants
Intersection of Highways 191 and 313,
11 miles north of downtown Moab.
GPS: 38.671768, -109.686812
( 435) 355-0288
www.moabgiants.com
Moab Giants Dinosaur Park is the first of its kind world-wide! Not only is it set among some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery in Moab, it is also a unique experience of the ages. You will journey back through time with a 3D cinema introducing you into the prehistoric world. There you get to make your own tracks alongside state-of the art life-size dinosaurs! You get to roam the extraordinary landscape they called home, as evidenced by the huge concentration of fossilized tracks found all around the area. The Tracks Museum is full of entertainment with interactive learning touch screens, games to play, and visually stunning exhibits that not only fascinate, but educate. It’s the ultimate place to discover the past with the modern conveniences and cutting edge technology that feel like the future.
The perfect balance of adventure and science, Moab Giants has been the realization of a dream for both our dinosaur park enthusiasts, as well as our world renowned scientists. They have special expertise in the field of fossil footprints and a deep knowledge of the paleontology of the region. Moab Giants has been actively engaged for many years in research, public education and exhibits and they are dedicated to being an educational and scientific resource for visitors from the local community, region, nation and the world, but not without some extreme fun along the way! It is Moab Giant’s mission to explore the beauty, adventure and scientific mysteries of the Moab area and share them with the world."
Attractions
- The Museum – The indoor exhibits use interactive, cutting edge technology to highlight stories about fossil footprints and their impact on dinosaur science and geology. These exhibits also include insights into the history and prehistory of the Moab area, and windows into Moab Giant’s research labs, show-casing research activity in the community and region. They also have some hands on exhibits that let you experiment for yourself how tracks are made and fossilized.
- The 3D Theater – Experience the magic of the creation and early history of our Earth through 3D cinema. Visitors get the full effect of prehistoric life in 3D before being introduced into the open landscape where things really come to life.
- The Trail – Here you will travel in time along a half-mile-long trail with more than 130, state-of-the-art, full size reconstructions of dinosaurs and the tracks they made in the area. Children and adults alike can walk with the dinosaurs and enjoy a Mesozoic adventure blended with a relaxed outing into the desert landscape with its beautiful backdrop of dinosaur-bearing rock formations.
- The 5D Paleoaquarium – After your walk through the desert with the dinosaurs on land you will have the unique opportunity to cool off in the paleoaquarium. Enjoy the ambiance as you stroll past eight different 3D screens giving you a realistic view into ancient life under the sea. Your time in the aquarium will end in the 5D room with an all-encompassing experience you are sure not to forget!
- The Playground and “Dig it Out” Areas -The kids will love this hands on dinosaur-themed playground for guests only. The playground includes rock climbing, web equipment, swings, slides and more! Climb inside T-Rex’s enormous mouth full of teeth and try your hand at paleontology and discovery by exploring their camp uncovering the dinosaur bones beneath the sand!