The park and grounds, including the nature trails, are opened 7-days a week, 9am to 4:30pm. However, the nature trails close at 4:00pm. There is no fee to utilize the park grounds, picnic areas, or nature trails.
The Exhibit Center is opened Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 4:30pm and is closed on Mondays. There is a small fee to visit the Exhibit Center, see below.
The Exhibit Center is open on all holidays with the exception of holidays that fall on Mondays and Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, and New Years Day.
Dinosaur State Park
Rocky Hill, CTA 200-million-year-old fossil trackway, nature trails, arboretum, and interactive exhibits bring the Mesozoic era to life. Explore a paleontological museum and enjoy the outdoors...all in one trip in a park like no other. The Park features over 750 early Jurassic dinosaur footprints — one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America — preserved in place viewable inside the museum, alongside exhibits about dinosaurs, fossils, Connecticut geology, and modern live animals.
Geologic History
The Park is located in the Central Valley which was created during the breakup of the super content Pangea around 220-170 million years ago. During the breakup several "rifts" or cracks were formed. The Central Valley is one of them and if it did not fail to continue to open, it may well have been the start of the future Atlantic Ocean. The Connecticut River flows through the Central Valley and portions of the Central Valley are referred to as the Connecticut River Valley.
For centuries the Central Valley has been known to contain outstanding specimens of preserved footprints uncovered in various locations including in the 19th century brownstone quarries. These tracks have found their way into museums throughout the world. In 1966, a new chapter was added to that storied history with the discovery of more than 2,600 individual dinosaur footprints, most classified as Eubrontes Giganteus. The term Eubrontes Giganteus refers to the classification of the tracks themselves. Scientists are still not completely sure which dinosaur made these tracks. Possibly a dinosaur that resembles Dilophosaurus.
Park History
During the excavation for a State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) laboratory in 1966, several tracks were unearthed by bulldozer operator by the name of Ed McCarthy on August 23, 1966. He quickly told the site foreman. During the next several days, paleontologists from Yale, Wesleyan, UConn, and Willimantic College (now Eastern Connecticut State University) visited the site. Over the next several weeks and months over 2,600 dinosaur tracks were discovered. On September 13, 1966, after consulting with officials, professors, and researchers, Governor of Connecticut John Dempsey declared the site of the discovery of the dinosaur tracks, a state park, Dinosaur State Park.
Ed McCarthy standing behind the dinosaur track slab he discovered. This slab is viewable at the park near the start of the trails.
Workers uncovering the main track bearing layer. This section of tracks was reburied in 1976 and is not viewable.
A committee was assembled by Governor John Dempsey to plan the future of the park. All agreed that the park should serve as an educational center due to the impressive dinosaur tracks, close proximity to Interstate 91 and its central location.
In 1968, the state released plans for the Park designed by the Mortin S. Fine & Associates. The original plans were extensive. Unfortunately, due to limited state funding the plan could not be completed.
1968 Proposed Plans for the Interior of Dinosaur State Park.
1968 Proposed Plans for Dinosaur State Park.
Also in 1968, the Park was established as a Registered National Natural Landmark by the United States Department of the Interior. In preparation for the exhibit center proposed in 1968, workers unearthed over 750 tracks to the west of the original tracksite. This was to allow the public to continue to observe the tracks while the proposed exhibit center was being built above the original tracksite. However, after several years of little progress on funding the proposed exhibit center, it was decided to re-bury the original tracksite to prevent further decay of the dinosaur tracks. Around the same time, the Bubble dome what was covering the secondary, west tracksite had failed each year. A more permanent structure started to be planned in 1976 and was completed in 1978. This new structure is the geodesic dome that currently covers the secondary western trackway. It is hoped that someday, the original east tracksite can be uncovered and a modern conservatory can be built over it.
Park & Arboretum
Open Monday – Sunday
(9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
Nature Trails
Open Monday - Sunday
(9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Exhibit Center
Open Tuesday - Sunday
(9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Friends of Dinosaur Park & Arboretum Museum Shop
Open Tuesday - Sunday
(9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Main (860) 529-5816
Email deep.dinosaur@ct.gov
Overview
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- If planning a bus trip to Dinosaur State Park, please contact the park directly
- Trail Map
- Arboretum Map
Museums
Exhibit Center
Head to the geodesic dome for a bird’s-eye view of over 750 preserved dinosaur tracks that date back 200 million years to the early Jurassic period. This portion of the preserved Mesozoic floodplain includes just a fraction of the over 2,000 dinosaur tracks discovered in the 1960s—the other rest of the tracks were reburied for natural preservation. Along with the tracks, check out a model of a Dilophosaurus—a 18-20 foot predator and a possible source of the tracks, dioramas of Triassic and Jurassic environments, fossil collections, and hands-on interactive exhibits.
Daily Weekend Movie and Activity Schedule
Please note that the activity schedule is weather and staff dependent, and may change throughout the year.
Animal Demos:
Come face to face with real live reptiles and amphibians! These encounters are appropriate for guests of all ages. Get an up close look at these amazing animals, and use your observational skills to figure out how they survive in the wild. Length: 15 - 20 minutes.
Track Discussions:
This is your opportunity to learn everything you wanted to know about our incredible dinosaur tracks! Join one of our knowledgeable staff as they point out many of the unique and fascinating aspects of the trackway, and be a part of the science as we use evidence to reconstruct what things would have been like in Connecticut, 200 million years ago. Make sure to bring plenty of questions! Length: 15 - 30 minutes.
Science Experiences:
Join one of our staff as they share their knowledge of various topics, which may include fossils, rocks, minerals, or other aspects of the natural world. Length: 15 - 20 minutes.
Field Trips
Exhibit Center Field Trips
Available September – June, the park offers guided programs throughout the school year for grades 1 and up. Your visit will begin with a presentation, followed by a guided tour of the trackway, and an activity with the following themes:
- Grades Prek-1 Fossil Discovery - How do we know dinosaurs existed? Join us as we travel to the past to discover all of the different clues left behind by the dinosaurs and what each can tell us about their lives. Together, we will investigate fossil bones, teeth, and other surprising clues that helped these creatures survive!
- Grades 2-5 Fun with Fossils - How do we know that ancient life, including Dinosaurs, existed? Travel back in the time to learn what Connecticut was like at the time of the dinosaurs and what we can learn about dinosaurs from their footprints and fossils. Students will examine a wide variety of fossils and dinosaur models to learn what made dinosaurs unique.
- Grades 6-8 Layers Through Time - Piece together the existence, extinction, and changes in life forms over 400 million years, from trilobites to mammoths, by digging through layers of “rock” to discover animals that lived in the American West. Use the fossil record to investigate environmental changes over time, gaining an understanding of the history of the area from the Devonian period to today.
- Grades 9-12 and College The Speed of Dinosaurs - While dinosaur bones can tell us what dinosaurs looked like, and how they died, dinosaur tracks can tell us what they did while they were alive! In this activity, we will get down onto the trackway (no shoes allowed, just socks!) and take dino measurements. Then, using these measurements, calculate the estimated speed of the individual dinosaurs as they walked across our trackway.
Ready to sign up?
Please complete the Exhibit Center Program Reservation Form
Fees:
Student Ages 5-under: $1
Student Ages 6-12: $3
Student Ages 13+: $7
Adults: $6
$50 minimum fee for 1.5-hour guided program
Virtual Field Trips
Online only, using video conferencing software
Dinosaur State Park is offering live virtual programming using video conferencing software. Led by park staff, each 30 to 45-minute program uses a dynamic and interactive format, giving students and educators an opportunity to make observations and ask questions. The unique format gives us the ability to show different aspects of the park within seconds, enabling more depth than typically possible in person. The following topics are available:
- Connecticut’s Geologic History
Be a geologist! Learn about the geologic history of Connecticut. Discover how Connecticut’s rocks allowed dinosaur tracks from the early Jurassic to be preserved until the modern day. Learn about Connecticut's minerals and explore how they can indicate the different geologic events that happened in Connecticut through time. - Dinosaurs of Connecticut
Meet the incredible creatures that roamed Connecticut during the Age of Dinosaurs! Looking at real fossils from the State of Connecticut, students will learn about the amazing variety of dinosaurs and other animals that once called the area home some 200 million years ago. - Fossil Discovery (PreK-1st Grade)
How do we know dinosaurs existed? Join us as we travel to the past to discover all of the different clues left behind by the dinosaurs and what each can tell us about their lives. Together, we will investigate fossil bones, teeth, and other surprising clues that helped these creatures survive!
Ready to sign up?
Please complete the Virtual Program Reservation Form
Summer Field Trips
Dinosaur State Park is a great destination as a summer field trip for summer school, youth groups, and summer camp groups. Summer groups can explore the exhibit center, watch a movie, go for a walk on the trails, meet a few live animals during the animal demonstration, learn more about fossils and ancient life during our live programs, and "mine' for gems and fossils in our mining sluice. Please note that most summer programming is first come, first served. Each activity is prescheduled and is available to the general public as well. We do not have the ability to schedule activities or programs specifically for summer camp groups. However we do require registration to schedule the mining for gems and fossils and to spread out large groups so that we can accommodate as many groups as possible. To start the reservation process, please complete the form below. Please email questions using the link at the bottom of this page.
Ready to sign up?
Please complete the Summer Group Reservation Form
For questions, please contact Michael Ross at deep.dinosaur@ct.gov.
Visitor Center
Gem and Fossil Mining
Available May 1 - October 31, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (except during rainy weather)
“Mine" for gems and fossils in the park’s outdoor mining sluice. To participate, purchase bags of mineral and gem or fossil mining rough from the bookstore (prices range from $7 to $25 a bag, or $75 for a bucket). We recommend one bag for up to three or four people. "Mining" each bag takes about 10 minutes and park staff and volunteer will be on hand to help you identify your new treasures. Mining bags are purchased at the Friends of Dinosaur Park & Arboretum's museum shop located inside the exhibit center.
Track Casting
Available May 1 - October 31, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Cast your own dinosaur footprint using real dinosaur prints — a one-of-a-kind experience and souvenir! The activity is free, but you’ll need to bring your own materials.
Materials – For each cast, you will need:
- 10 pounds of Plaster-of-Paris (no substitutions)
- 1/4 cup cooking oil
- Five-gallon plastic bucket
- Cloth rags and paper towels
- (The park provides Eubrontes tracks, metal rings, and water.)
Instructions – The entire process takes about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Clear off the Eubrontes Track and metal ring with broom and rags. DO NOT USE WATER.
- Oil the track and ring with your hands.
- Center ring on the track and wrap rags around the outside of the ring.
- Measure three (3) quarts of water (3/4 of one gallon jug); pour into the bucket.
- Add the ten pounds of Plaster-of-Paris to the water.
- Stir the plaster mixture quickly with your hands until it is smooth and has the consistency of cake batter.
- Immediately pour the mixture into the prepared ring.
- When the cast is hard, carefully remove the rags and the ring. Then remove the cast from the rock.
Know Before You Go – only one cast per family or group so all visitors have a chance to participate. We do not recommend casting during inclement weather.
Hiking
The park’s more than two miles of nature and hiking trails wind through a rich diversity of habitats, including swamps, dense forest, meadows, and a traprock ridge composed of basalt rock, formerly hot lava.
Red Trail Loop
- 0.75-mile loop trail and boardwalk
- Level of difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Starting from the amphitheater area, this trail connects the Red and Blue Trails. The circuit, a combination of packed dirt paths and boardwalk, winds through red maple and shrub swamps, native plants, a butterfly garden, and vernal pool.
Enrich your outdoor experience. Find interesting geologic features with EarthCache.
Note: No pets or bikes on the nature trails.
Know Before You Go
Nature
Arboretum
The arboretum contains more than 250 species of Mesozoic Era plants, trees, and shrubs. The collection of plant families were curated to recreate an environment that closely reflects the one the dinosaurs roamed many centuries ago.
Arboretum Map
- Fir Collection - Douglas, Nikko, Nordmann, and Concolor firs
- Arborvitae Wall - Conifers, including Hiba Arborvitae (Thujopsis dolabrata ‘Variagata”)
- Cedar Collection - Lebanon, Deodar, and Blue Atlas Cedars and the California incense cedar
- Pine Grove- “White Mountain”, Blue Jay, Himalayan, Bosnian, ‘Pendula’ and ‘Waterii’ Scots pine
- East Side Conifers- Japanese cedar, ‘Oregon Blue” Lawson cypress, weeping Alaskan cedar, Hinoki false cypress, and “Chinese fir”
- Rock Garden - Junipers, false cypresses, small arborvitae, dwarf firs, and flowering plants such as lavender and thyme, amongst exposed rock ledges
- Plaza del Sol - Japanese umbrella pines
- Southeast Collection - Bald cypress, American sycamores, black gum, willow oak, pawpaws, sweetbay magnolia, Carolina allspice, Persimmon, Giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), “Hazel Smith” cultivar, Dawn Redwoods, and golden larch
- Spruce Collection - Hondo spruce, Oriental spruce, Serbian spruce, and Black Hills spruce
- East Asian Garden - Chinese swamp cypress, weeping katsura tree, “kew” ginkgo, and yellow-groove bamboo
- London Plane Trees - Hybrid American and Eurasian sycamores
Picnicking
Pack a picnic lunch to enjoy in the Arboretum area of the park during park hours. The picnic area includes:
Picnic Tables
Charcoal Grills
Natura Shade
Planning a private party or gathering? Reserve a private spot in our picnic shelter.
Open Air Picnic Shelter Rentals
- 28 x 28-ft. picnic shelter: Space for 40 people, four large picnic tables, and access to nearby accessible restrooms. No electricity, no running water.
- Available: Memorial Day through Columbus Day
- Rental Fee: $150 (plus $9 processing fee). Does not include museum admission.
- Learn more about our picnic shelter rental polices and reservation details.
Reserve a picnic shelter:
- Online: Visit Reserve America
- By phone: 1-877-668-CAMP (2267)
Interactive
Exhibit Center Tour
Take a virtual field trip of some of the amazing exhibits at Dinosaur State Park — from wherever! Move around and zoom in to a favorite exhibit, look for something new, and immerse yourself in the experience of walking in the footsteps of dinosaurs on the 200-million-year-old trackway — an adventure not typically open to the public.
Otozoum Activity Series
Investigate one of our favorite artifacts, the Otozoum rock slab. This rock slab was discovered in Portland, CT during the late 1800's and has been on display to the public for over 124 years at various museums in Connecticut. New features were discovered just a few years ago…by accident after more than 100 years of research! Can you solve the mystery to help scientists figure out what these mysterious features may be?
Don your virtual science lab coat and find your science notebook to get ready to explore the same features that researchers are currently investigating through an interactive, high-resolution, 3D computer model of the slab.
Geoscience Activity Series
Through interactive online games and activities, learn how the surface of the Earth has changed through time, and how plate tectonics form, destroy, and shape our world. With the Tectonic Plate simulator, try your skill at making mountains, volcanic islands, lava flows, and other awesome plate boundary features!
- Geologic Timeline 1 - Time Travel Across Earth's Floor
- Geologic Timeline 2 - Awesome Events and Explosions
- Fossil Matching Game - Travel back in time to match fossils with animals and their environment. Play Now | Check your answers
Fossil Discoveries with Kira (Park Naturalist)
- Cambrian Period – Join Kira as she looks at a few fossils from the Cambrian Period and discusses one of the top predators of the time…you may be surprised by what it is! Watch
- Devonian Oceans – Learn about earth's ancient oceans during the Devonian period with Kira as she shares two amazing fossil from the vault! Watch
- Carboniferous Period – Kira brings out two fossils from the Carboniferous period — similar to two modern relatives found at the park! Watch
- Early Jurassic – Join Kira as she discusses the fossil that made Dinosaur State Park famous, including which dinosaur likely made the track and what the earth was like when it did. Part 1 | Part 2
- Uncovering the Past – Get all the details on the discovery of the dinosaur trackway at the park through archival footage, present-day interviews, and more. Watch
Virtual Tours
Additional Park Info
Parking
Free
Park Grounds, Arboretum & Trails
Free
Exhibit Center Admission
Free – 5 and under
$2 – Ages 6-12
$6 – Ages 13+
Exhibit Center
Parking
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Nature Trails & Exhibit Center
Not permitted
Park Grounds
Yes, on leash
