Explore the ancient world preserved beneath your feet
From world-renowned dinosaur footprints to rare fossils and life-sized restorations, the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site offers a one-of-a-kind look at southern Utah’s Early Jurassic past. These highlights showcase the science, stories, and surprises you’ll encounter during your visit.
The Original Tracksite
Our museum is built directly over a 200 million-year-old tracksit—a lakeshore environment where dinosaurs and other animals left traces in soft mud that hardened into stone. This intact surface preserves:
- Trace fossils made by multiple species of dinosaurs, early crocodylians, mammal relatives, and fishes, as well as plant fossils
- Behavioral clues (running, swimming, crouching)
- Detailed trackways
- Sedimentary structures that reveal ancient weather, water depth, and shoreline conditions
CAST OF CHARACTERS
TRACKS & OTHER TRACE FOSSILS
A FAUNA IN TRACKS
Tracks exhibited here include Grallator, made by small, agile meat-eating dinosaurs; Eubrontes, made by larger, more powerful meat-eating dinosaurs; and Batrachopus, made by small, early relatives of modern crocodiles and alligators.
EARLY JURASSIC ENVIRONMENT EXHIBIT
Discover the geological evidence that tells what St. George looked like 200 million years ago, a shallow, expansive lake with no mountains in sight. This gallery features:
- Ripple marks
- Mud cracks
- Raindrop impressions
- Other sedimentary structures
- Fossilized plant material and fish bones
THE BOARDWALK EXPERIENCE
Step onto our elevated boardwalk for a close-up view of the original track-bearing rock surface. This is where you’ll see:
FOSSILS & LIFE IN THE LAKE
Beyond footprints, the tracksite contains beautifully preserved fossils from the Early Jurassic lake ecosystem, including:
- Fish skeletons
- Plant impressions
- Invertebrate traces
- Microbial mat textures
FOSSIL PREPARATION LAB
Peek behind the scenes and watch our paleontology team at work preparing fossils, conducting research, and building new exhibits. Guests can often see:
- Fossil cleaning and stabilization
- Exhibit components being created
- Scientific tools and preparation materials
- Active research projects
LIFE-SIZED MODELS & INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS
Our galleries feature restored dinosaurs and hands-on displays that help bring the Early Jurassic world to life. These exhibits are designed to educate, inspire curiosity, and engage learners of all ages.
OUTDOOR DINO PARK
After exploring indoors, head outside to our shaded Dino Park featuring:
- Picnic tables
- Sandbox for young paleontologists
- “Walk Through Time” outdoor trail
READY TO EXPLORE?
Experience these highlights—and many more—during your visit.