Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut features hundreds of fossilized dinosaur tracks

In New England, people can see hundreds of fossilized dinosaur tracks that are millions of years old at Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. The park is located just south of Hartford, 5 minutes north of New Haven, and less than 3 hours from New York City. This place is incredible, to say the least. Think A Land Before Time meets Jurassic Park.

Visiting Dinosaur State Park

The park protects one of the largest dinosaur track sites in the United States. The site was discovered in 1966 by a bulldozer driver. Both state and national officials quickly acknowledged the magnitude of the discovery. The trackway was protected as a Connecticut State Park and recognized as a National Natural Landmark in 1968.

The site contains more than 2,600 known dinosaur footprints. Only about one-third can be viewed. The rest remain buried for their protection and preservation. A 55,000-square-foot dome protects the exposed tracks. A pathway guides visitors through the enclosed area and lets you get up close to the tracks. Plenty of signs explain the significance of the tracks and other fossils.

The tracks are frozen in sandstone from the Jurassic Period about 200 million years ago. Paleontologists believe the tracks are from a carnivorous theropod dinosaur similar to Dilophosaurus, roughly 20 feet long.

Make your own dinosaur tracks

The park also features something you only get to do sometimes. You can make a cast from an actual dinosaur footprint. The casting area is open everyday seasonally during the warmer months. There is no fee, but you do have to bring your own materials. The entire process takes about 45 minutes.

Here is what you need to bring for each cast:

10 pounds of Plaster-of-Paris (no substitutions)
1/4 cup cooking oil
Five-gallon bucket
Cloth rags and paper towels

The park provides:

Dinosaur tracks
Metal rings
Water

You can also stretch your legs on the park’s more than two miles of hiking trails. There is no camping at the park, but spots are nearby to pitch a tent. If you are visiting the park, check out some of the other cool things to do nearby. The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford and the Gillette Castle State Park are fantastic. We highly recommend both!