MOAB

SCENIC LOCATIONS DINOSAUR TRAILS & MUSEUMS
DINOSAUR TRAILS
& MUSEUMS
Southeastern Utah has a prolific fossil record of bones, and especially tracks, that has
been exposed in the sedimentary record of Mesozoic age all around Moab. Moab
is also part of the Dinosaur Diamond Scenic Byway, a National Scenic Byway that
passes through some of the world’s most significant locations for dinosaur fossils,
tracksites and museums.
The best way to start your dinosaur journey is in downtown Moab at the Museum of
Moab. Check out a full cast skeleton of Gastonia, one of the armored dinosaurs that
lived in this area during the Early Cretaceous. The museum also features numerous
dinosaur displays, including a cast of the leg of the terrifying Utahraptor.
Moab’s Dinosaur Park & Museum (intersection of Highways 191 & 313) takes you on
a journey back through time, starting with a 3D cinema that introduces you to the
prehistoric world of dinosaurs. You can then make your own tracks on a half-mile hiking
trail populated with state-of-the-art life-size dinosaurs! The Tracks Museum features
interactive learning touch screens, games to play and visually stunning exhibits.
What follows is just a sample of the tracksites surrounding Moab. For a more detailed
list, visit discovermoab.com.
MILL CANYON DINOSAUR TRACKSITE 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 eight
different types of dinosaurs and a crocodile resting trace. The trailhead is 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.
MILL CANYON DINOSAUR BONE TRAIL 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 this short self-guided interpretive trail. To get to the
trailhead, drive 15 miles north of Moab on Hwy 191, turn left onto a dirt road marked
“Mill Canyon.” Proceed 0.6 miles on this dirt road past a gravel parking lot. Keep left for
0.5 additional 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.
DINOSAUR STOMPING GROUNDS A gradual uphill 1.7-mile (2.7 km)
hike is required to get to this site. The pedestrian trail first parallels a well-established
mountain bike trail and then branches off, finally following rock cairns to the Jurassic
age tracksite. There is a net elevation gain of 459 feet. From Moab, go north on
US 191 for 23 miles (37km). Turn right 3/4 mile (1.2 km) past milepost 148. Cross the
railroad tracks and follow the main road for 1 mile (1.6 km). 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.
SCENIC LOCATIONS DINOSAUR TRAILS & MUSEUMS
After learning about the dinosaur species that once walked these lands, continue
north of Moab to one or more of the Moab dinosaur sites described on the next page.
A variety of hiking trails will take you to some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks and
bones in the country!
Paleontologists have found a treasure trove of dinosaur remains in the rock formations of the Moab area.
The record of dinosaurs and other ancient animals in the Moab area is one of the best in the country!
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