Dinosaur State Park, located in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, is a unique 80-acre natural history preserve renowned for protecting one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. Established in 1968, the park centers around a remarkable discovery of over 2,000 Early Jurassic fossilized dinosaur footprints, uncovered in 1966, which date back approximately 200 million years. Managed by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the park combines a paleontological museum, an arboretum, nature trails, and interactive educational programs, offering visitors a deep dive into Connecticut’s prehistoric past and its geological significance.
History and Discovery
The story of Dinosaur State Park began on August 23, 1966, when
bulldozer operator Edward McCarthy, working on a site for a state office
building, uncovered a slab of gray sandstone revealing six large,
three-toed footprints. This accidental discovery, during excavation near
Interstate 91, revealed a fossilized Triassic lake bed containing an
extraordinary concentration of dinosaur tracks, primarily of the
ichnogenus Eubrontes, designated Connecticut’s state fossil in 1991.
Over the following weeks, paleontologists from Yale University, Wesleyan
University, the University of Connecticut, and Eastern Connecticut State
University excavated the site, uncovering over 2,600 tracks. The
significance of the find prompted Governor John Dempsey to declare the
site a state park on September 13, 1966, with formal dedication in 1967.
Due to the site’s importance, approximately 1,500 of the tracks were
reburied in 1976 to protect them from weathering, as funding for a
permanent structure was initially limited. A temporary inflatable dome
was used from 1969 but collapsed multiple times, leading to the
construction of a permanent geodesic dome in 1977 to house the main
trackway. The trackway, covering 7 acres, was designated a Registered
National Natural Landmark in 1968 by the National Park Service,
recognizing its global paleontological significance. The Friends of
Dinosaur Park and Arboretum, formed in 1976, has since played a crucial
role in supporting the park’s educational programs and preservation
efforts through fundraising and community initiatives.
Geological and Paleontological Significance
The tracks at Dinosaur State Park are embedded in sedimentary
sandstone from a prehistoric lake bed, formed when the African and North
American continents collided over 250 million years ago, pushing
sedimentary ocean floor to the surface. This geological process,
distinct from the igneous rock formations elsewhere in Connecticut,
allowed for the preservation of fossilized tracks in the Connecticut
River Valley, a region with a rich history of fossil discoveries since
the 19th century. The park’s tracks, primarily Eubrontes, are attributed
to a large, bipedal, carnivorous theropod dinosaur, likely similar to
Dilophosaurus, an 18- to 20-foot-long predator. These tracks, ranging
from 9 to 18 inches long with strides of 3.5 to 4.5 feet, suggest the
dinosaurs were fishing in shallow lakes, with no preferred direction of
travel indicated by the trackways.
Other track types include
Anchisauripus (possibly from younger Eubrontes trackmakers or a smaller
theropod relative), Grallator (from small theropods), and rare
Batrachopus (likely from a small crocodile relative). Notably, Otozoum
tracks, made by larger herbivorous dinosaurs and showing skin
impressions, are displayed in the exhibit center but have not been found
at the park’s trackway. The tracks are mostly underprints, formed under
pressure beneath the surface, and represent a brief period—possibly a
day to a month—when dinosaurs traversed the area. The park’s sedimentary
layers, separated by just 1 inch vertically, provide a snapshot of this
ancient environment, enhanced by a diorama and models depicting the Late
Triassic setting.
Main Features and Exhibits
The heart of Dinosaur State Park is its Exhibit Center, a
55,000-square-foot facility under a geodesic dome, enclosing over 750
Eubrontes tracks viewable from a raised walkway. The center is open
Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with accessibility
for handicapped visitors. Key exhibits include:
Trackway Display:
The main attraction, showcasing 500–750 well-preserved tracks in situ,
offering a direct connection to the Jurassic period. Visitors can
observe the tracks’ patterns and imagine dinosaurs walking where they
stand.
Mural and Diorama: Commissioned in 1990 by the Friends of
Dinosaur Park and Arboretum, a mural by artist William Sillin depicts
the Late Triassic Connecticut River Valley, with a semi-arid climate and
brief rainstorms. Life-sized models include Dilophosaurus, Coelophysis
(a theropod), Anchisaurus (a prosauropod), Metoposaurus (an amphibian),
Stegomus and Hypsognathus (reptiles), Rutidon (a phytosaur), and
Dimorphodon (a pterosaur). The diorama illustrates the ecosystem with
sand and mud flats covered in tracks.
Discovery Room: Renovated in
2014, this interactive space features hands-on activities, Connecticut
rocks and minerals, a large-screen program on the Connecticut River
Valley, and a 5x5-foot “Dig Pit” (added in 2018) replicating the
trackway for visitors to excavate. The “Connecticut’s Geologic
Treasures” exhibit includes an interactive geologic map, specimen
drawers, and an “Investigation Station” for examining mica and crystals.
The “Life Through Time Exhibit” displays hundreds of fossils from
various periods worldwide.
Additional Exhibits: A giant Mesozoic
Magnetic Wall, a bird sounds station, a rock core display, and a small
collection of live reptiles (geckos, snakes, frogs) enhance the
educational experience. The center also features fossil slabs from other
Connecticut Valley sites, including Otozoum tracks with skin
impressions.
The Exhibit Center is designed for all ages, with
educational films, track talks, narrated slide shows, and a small gift
shop. Masks are required indoors, and no food or drink is permitted to
protect the exhibits.
Arboretum and Nature Trails
The park’s 2-mile trail system winds through a unique arboretum featuring over 250 species and cultivars of conifers, including arborvitae, chamaecyparis, ginkgo, juniper, katsura, pine, sequoia, and magnolia, with rare species like evergreen southern magnolia and monkey puzzle. The arboretum aims to represent Mesozoic-era plant families, adapted to New England’s climate, creating a living connection to the dinosaurs’ environment. The trails, accessible via the Red Trail loop, include the Blue, Yellow, and Orange trails, covering diverse terrains (flat, rocky, gravel) and habitats like red maple swamps, shrub swamps, vernal pools, and a butterfly garden. A 1.8-mile outer loop takes about 42 minutes to complete and is considered easy, ideal for families, though pets are not allowed on trails. Boardwalks enhance accessibility, and the trails are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closing on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Activities and Educational Programs
Dinosaur State Park offers a range of activities, particularly for
families and school groups, emphasizing hands-on learning:
Footprint Casting: From May 1 to October 31, visitors can create plaster
casts of Eubrontes tracks in an outdoor casting area (9:00 a.m. to 3:30
p.m.). Guests must bring their own materials (10 pounds of
Plaster-of-Paris, cooking oil, a 5-gallon bucket, rags, paper towels),
and the process takes 30–45 minutes. The park provides tracks, metal
rings, water, and instructions.
Mining Sluice: Also seasonal (May 1
to October 31, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), the sluice allows visitors to
“mine” gems and fossils from bags purchased at the museum shop ($6–$25
plus tax). Each bag takes about 10 minutes to process and can be shared
by up to 3–4 people.
Virtual and In-Person Programs: The park offers
live virtual programming (30–45 minutes) for schools, covering topics
like Connecticut’s geologic history, dinosaurs, and fossil discovery,
with interactive formats allowing real-time questions. In-person field
trips for grades PreK–5 include presentations, guided trackway tours,
and activities like “Fun with Fossils” or “Fossil Discovery,” aligned
with Connecticut Core Science Standards. Summer programs for camps
include exhibit tours, animal demonstrations, and mining activities.
Dinosaur State Park Day: Held annually in August, this event
commemorates the tracks’ discovery with games, arts and crafts, and live
music, fostering community engagement.
Visitor Information
Admission and Hours: The Exhibit Center charges $6 for adults (13+),
$2 for youth (6–12), and is free for children 5 and under and Charter
Oak Pass holders (Connecticut residents 65+). A $67 Heritage Pass offers
unlimited admission to Dinosaur, Fort Trumbull, and Gillette Castle
state parks for a year. The park grounds and trails are free, with
parking also free for Connecticut-registered vehicles under the Passport
to the Parks program. The park is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. (trails close at 4:00 p.m.), and closed on Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Location and Accessibility: Located at
400 West Street, Rocky Hill, one mile east of Exit 23 off I-91, the park
is easily accessible from Hartford (15 miles north). The Exhibit Center
is handicap-accessible, but trails are not. Pets are allowed in picnic
and open areas but prohibited on trails and in the Exhibit Center.
Amenities: Shaded picnic areas, an amphitheater, and display gardens are
available. No food or drink is allowed in the Exhibit Center, but
visitors can use picnic areas for events like birthday parties (no
official party hosting). Tickets cannot be purchased in advance, and the
park does not offer ticket donations.
Visitor Experience and Reviews
Visitors praise the park for its educational value, low cost, and family-friendly atmosphere. The Exhibit Center’s hands-on activities, live animals, and immersive trackway display captivate children, while adults appreciate the geological insights and serene trails. The “Dig Pit” and casting activities are highlights for kids, though some note the trails could use maintenance (e.g., clearing mud or adding more dinosaur-themed elements). The park’s peaceful setting, with dragonflies, bunnies, and scenic boardwalks, enhances the outdoor experience, though it can be buggy or muddy after rain. Reviewers recommend allowing 1.5 hours for a full visit, combining the museum and trails, and suggest hiking carriers for toddlers due to rocky terrain.
Critical Perspective
While Dinosaur State Park is a celebrated educational resource, its
focus on tracks rather than skeletal remains may disappoint visitors
expecting dramatic dinosaur skeletons. The reburial of 1,500 tracks due
to funding constraints highlights ongoing financial challenges, and the
lack of a permanent structure for the buried tracks limits the site’s
full potential. The park’s reliance on the Friends group for programming
underscores budget limitations, a common issue for state parks.
Additionally, the absence of pets on trails and limited indoor
activities during inclement weather may deter some visitors.
Nevertheless, the park’s commitment to preserving a globally significant
site and fostering public engagement with science is commendable,
offering a rare glimpse into a prehistoric world preserved in
Connecticut’s backyard.
In summary, Dinosaur State Park is a
captivating blend of science, nature, and history, offering an immersive
experience for visitors of all ages. Its fossil trackway, educational
exhibits, and Mesozoic-inspired arboretum make it a must-visit
destination for anyone interested in dinosaurs, geology, or
Connecticut’s natural heritage. For more details or to plan a visit,
check the official website at www.dinosaurstatepark.org or contact the
park at (860) 529-5816.