Do you have a child who can give you details about what seems like every dinosaur that ever lived — a Mesozoic genius in jammies? Or was that you so many decades ago?
Maybe it secretly still is.
In your RV, you and the kids can rediscover that wonder in real sand and stone. Let’s start this journey in the red rock formations of Utah, at the Utahraptor State Park.
Utah’s favorite dinosaur now has a state park. Utahraptor State Park is recognized for more than it’s red rock formations — it has pre-historic remains lying underneath its surface.
Utahraptor State Park includes popular recreation spots such as the Dalton Wells and Willow Springs site, with one of the largest dinosaur bone beds in North America. Over 5,500 bones representing more than 10 dinosaur species have been recovered during the site’s 45-year history of excavation and discovery. Species found include the Utahraptor, the armored Gastonia and the long-necked sauropod Moabosaurus. Paleontologists believe more than 100,000 bones may await discovery.
The unique geologic story of Arches National Park is integral to the dinosaur fossils found in the Dalton Wells area. Due to the subsidence that formed Arches 146 million years ago, Utahraptor State Park has unique exposures to the older Cretaceous layers in North America. Raptors found within this area are the oldest on the planet.
If walking with dinosaurs is something you’d love to try too, there are plenty of places nearby to visit:
- Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackways
- Willow Springs Dinosaur Tracks
- Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite
- Hells Revenge Tracksite
- Potash Road Dinosaur Tracks and Petroglyphs
- Bull Canyon Overlook and Dinosaur Track Site
All of these and more are all available to let you step side-by-side with ancient giants.
Camping
The park also offers ATV, hiking and mountain biking trails in addition to all those dinosaurs.
For quick, somewhat primitive camping, there are $15/night, first-come first-served. Individuals can pay fees via the iron ranger locations found upon entering the park or online by scanning the QR code featured on park signage.
To find more extensive nearby RV camping closer to Moab, try https://www.discovermoab.com/stay/campgrounds/commercial-campgrounds/. Camping sites range from remote places nestled in redrock alcoves to luxurious glamping resorts.
To learn more, download this handy guide here: utah2024-travel-guide-v1 (PDF)
Then start dreaming with your family about the most Dinotastic vacation ever!
The post RV Dinosaur Hunts — Part One: Utahraptor State Park appeared first on Poulsbo RV.