Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail
Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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4.5
135 reviews
Excellent
84
Very good
37
Average
6
Poor
3
Terrible
5
Joe
1 contribution
Sep 2020
Be aware that you absolutely need a four wheel drive with high clearance and off road tires to drive fully to this site. The site currently has very deep and loose sand and anything less than a high clearance, four wheel drive vehicle with off road tires will absolutely get stuck and have to be pulled out (as we did in a 4 wheel drive compact SUV). There is a parking lot right before the sand that is roughly a half mile hike to dino tracks which is accessible for all vehicles.
Written September 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JFSD
Tuxedo Park, NY266 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Awesome 20 min - 60 minute pit stop! Can be done on the way in or out of town as Miller’s Canyon is right off of 119. The Dinosaur tracks are on one walk and the fossils are a little further up the road. Everything is very well marked and it was very interesting. The whole family loved it!!
Written July 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tsper
Port Saint Lucie, FL230 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
Definitely worth a stop! Can take you 20 minutes in the snow and wind, like us, Or I can take you an hour if you want to look. Easy walking path leads to a nice boardwalk. Signs with descriptions of each imprint. Such a fun place to stop and it’s free!
Written March 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Taunesha S
Hood River, OR324 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
The road into the trail is a bit rocky/bumpy going in. I wouldn’t recommend if there is any rain or chance of it. Once at the trail there is a short loop with fossils, lots of them! It’s a short trail, and easy for kids. This was one of our favorites. I recommend! It was good for all ages.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Todd B
Cincinnati, OH60 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Easy 1/4 mile walk to see dinosaur tracks. I think this is the first time in my life I’ve seen them. Parking lot is only a mile off the road. Quick side trip on your way into or out of Moab. Definitely worth 30 minutes.
Written June 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CassieRod15
Saint Joseph, MO97 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
The Dino Trail and Tracksite are 2 separate areas in close proximity. As of April 16, 2022 the track portion is still closed due to damage caused by construction vehicles. This was super disappointing for our Dino loving boys.
We traveled by minivan so to get to the trail with bones we needed to park about 1/2 mile away and hike in. The road had deep sand, large rocks and some big puddles- don’t attempt it without 4WD.
The bone trail was nice and fairly short but has a decent bit of climbing to it.
We traveled by minivan so to get to the trail with bones we needed to park about 1/2 mile away and hike in. The road had deep sand, large rocks and some big puddles- don’t attempt it without 4WD.
The bone trail was nice and fairly short but has a decent bit of climbing to it.
Written April 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiki_Yoas
Hollywood16 contributions
Mar 2020
Its baffling the dinosaur prints were only discovered in this last decade. I think BLM did a good job trying to keep it protected. Interesting to see and I would probably only come back again if I had my kids. I noticed there wasn't a warning sign in any of the brochures about driving your vehicle but be wary there is a sandy road you can only pass with a 4 wheel drive vehicle. You can park and walk up to the main trail to see the dinosaur bones. It seems to have an amazing mountain bike trail out to the desert and what looks like a maze like miniature canyon.
Written March 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michele T
Gainesville, FL858 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
My husband and I are biologists and we love reptiles, amphibians, and DINOSAURS! We had just experienced hundreds of fossilized dinosaur bones at Dinosaur National Monument near Vernal, and were thrilled to learn that there were visible footprints in the Moab area. We chose the crazy hectic Monday of Labor Day weekend to head out to Mill Canyon, as we understood that the national parks would be pure chaos and we were hoping for some quiet contemplation time.
It is not difficult to find the site; coming from Moab it is a left turn from 191 onto a dirt/gravel road, but figuring out exactly where to go after making that turn is a little more complicated. The road initially traverses through posted private property, but soon you see the signs noting that you have entered the national monument. After a short period of time you pass a large parking lot, and you can see a fenced in exhibit like area a little bit in the distance. You can continue along the road until you reach a second parking lot near the track boardwalk and then it is a very short walk to the tracks.
The tracks are amazing and most of them are easy to discern. It is almost unbelievable that you are seeing the evidence of these creatures that lived over 100 million years ago, and even more incredible when you learn how the tracks formed and are visible today. When these tracks were made, the area was much wetter than it is currently, and around a small lake there existed mud flats covered with a thick layer of algae. The algal mats had to be just right in order for the tracks to be preserved – just wet enough but not saturated. After the dinosaur walked on the algal mat and left the impressions, the tracks were naturally filled with sand and pebbles. Over time many layers of sediment were deposited over the prints, and the tracks were buried. Eventually the lime in the tracks was replaced by silica, and through erosion, the tracks once again became visible. So just the right conditions to make the tracks, erosion to make them visible, and then discovery by someone who knew the value of what they saw. No wonder tracks are so rare! There are tracks from eight different types of dinosaurs – the birdlike feet of the ornithopods and theropods were the easiest for me to comprehend but I think my favorite tracks may have been from the massive sauropods, with their lima bean-shaped front footprints.
We would have liked to have continued along to the fossil trail, but it was unclear to us what we could and could not do given we were not in a 4X4 and some TA reviews cited the need for such a vehicle. In any case, the tracks alone made this a very worthwhile (if short) diversion from Moab.
It is not difficult to find the site; coming from Moab it is a left turn from 191 onto a dirt/gravel road, but figuring out exactly where to go after making that turn is a little more complicated. The road initially traverses through posted private property, but soon you see the signs noting that you have entered the national monument. After a short period of time you pass a large parking lot, and you can see a fenced in exhibit like area a little bit in the distance. You can continue along the road until you reach a second parking lot near the track boardwalk and then it is a very short walk to the tracks.
The tracks are amazing and most of them are easy to discern. It is almost unbelievable that you are seeing the evidence of these creatures that lived over 100 million years ago, and even more incredible when you learn how the tracks formed and are visible today. When these tracks were made, the area was much wetter than it is currently, and around a small lake there existed mud flats covered with a thick layer of algae. The algal mats had to be just right in order for the tracks to be preserved – just wet enough but not saturated. After the dinosaur walked on the algal mat and left the impressions, the tracks were naturally filled with sand and pebbles. Over time many layers of sediment were deposited over the prints, and the tracks were buried. Eventually the lime in the tracks was replaced by silica, and through erosion, the tracks once again became visible. So just the right conditions to make the tracks, erosion to make them visible, and then discovery by someone who knew the value of what they saw. No wonder tracks are so rare! There are tracks from eight different types of dinosaurs – the birdlike feet of the ornithopods and theropods were the easiest for me to comprehend but I think my favorite tracks may have been from the massive sauropods, with their lima bean-shaped front footprints.
We would have liked to have continued along to the fossil trail, but it was unclear to us what we could and could not do given we were not in a 4X4 and some TA reviews cited the need for such a vehicle. In any case, the tracks alone made this a very worthwhile (if short) diversion from Moab.
Written September 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
Costa Mesa, CA1,570 contributions
Jul 2019
While site seeing in eastern UT / western CO, we ran across a number of dinosaur sites and decided to add them to the itinerary. The site is well reviewed so here's some logistical items.
This is a bit of a drive off of 191 but well worth the stop. From 191, take Mill Canyon Road west for a short distance where it will split into BLM 215 which heads south-west and 343 which heads north-west. Bear left at the fork on 215. The parking area will be on your right just a short distance. There's another site farther west which we were unable to get to due to an approaching storm. The road is a sort of maintained dirt road. Passenger cars are fully capable of navigating the road, if taken slowly.
We visited in mid-July and it was hot. Take lots of water as you will be walking around in a shade-less area. My family of four went through about two gallons of water a day and we also added those electrolyte tables to our canteens. Wear good shoes that can handle hiking as well. These dinosaur sites do require a bit of "off-roading".
The scenery in the area is really pretty as well so don't skip opportunities to get photos of the area.
If you decide to try to visit the other sites, be aware that the road gets progressively less maintained. The soil has the consistency of powdered sugar and if it rains it will get soupy fast. When dry, your vehicle will sort of slide around as you travel. For reference, we have a Subaru Forester and didn't have any issues but when the light rain started, I got us back to the main road and 191.
Do make the detour and check it out. It's a very interesting site.
This is a bit of a drive off of 191 but well worth the stop. From 191, take Mill Canyon Road west for a short distance where it will split into BLM 215 which heads south-west and 343 which heads north-west. Bear left at the fork on 215. The parking area will be on your right just a short distance. There's another site farther west which we were unable to get to due to an approaching storm. The road is a sort of maintained dirt road. Passenger cars are fully capable of navigating the road, if taken slowly.
We visited in mid-July and it was hot. Take lots of water as you will be walking around in a shade-less area. My family of four went through about two gallons of water a day and we also added those electrolyte tables to our canteens. Wear good shoes that can handle hiking as well. These dinosaur sites do require a bit of "off-roading".
The scenery in the area is really pretty as well so don't skip opportunities to get photos of the area.
If you decide to try to visit the other sites, be aware that the road gets progressively less maintained. The soil has the consistency of powdered sugar and if it rains it will get soupy fast. When dry, your vehicle will sort of slide around as you travel. For reference, we have a Subaru Forester and didn't have any issues but when the light rain started, I got us back to the main road and 191.
Do make the detour and check it out. It's a very interesting site.
Written November 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherry_Wonderdog
New England4,681 contributions
May 2018 • Family
We almost missed the footprints of Mill Canyon after wandering through the trail full of dinosaur bones encrusted in rock. Frankly, I find the fossilized bones much less impressive than the actual tracks, since the bones require a far greater leap of faith to imagine them supporting the skeleton of a massive living beings from 100 million years ago. The tracks themselves, however, are pretty blatant reminders that these beings did exist, their claws were huge, their strides long, and their dominance on earth was something we are probably fortunate never to have experienced.
The footprints aren’t in the best of surroundings, underneath audible power lines, but they are protected by a fence and boardwalk. Hopefully they will last for generations to come. Sadly, the algae based preserve is quite fragile, and all we need is for a few crazy kids to ruin everything.
I had seen more solid dinosaur tracks baked in stone in Arizona years ago, but quantity goes to Mill Canyon. There were several series of tracks where you could imagine the dinosaurs walking in stride, and that is a sight to behold.
Admission is free. Location is well off the beaten path, but it makes for a nice outing from Moab after dinner before sunset. Bring bug repellent particularly for the dinosaur bone trail.
The footprints aren’t in the best of surroundings, underneath audible power lines, but they are protected by a fence and boardwalk. Hopefully they will last for generations to come. Sadly, the algae based preserve is quite fragile, and all we need is for a few crazy kids to ruin everything.
I had seen more solid dinosaur tracks baked in stone in Arizona years ago, but quantity goes to Mill Canyon. There were several series of tracks where you could imagine the dinosaurs walking in stride, and that is a sight to behold.
Admission is free. Location is well off the beaten path, but it makes for a nice outing from Moab after dinner before sunset. Bring bug repellent particularly for the dinosaur bone trail.
Written May 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There were no indications that pets were not allowed on the trail.
Written June 26, 2018
A wheelchair for trails would be ok. 1/4 mile gravel trail with a slight grade. At the site there is a level wooden boardwalk.
Written July 29, 2019
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