If you’re looking to interject some dinosaur exploration during a trip to Utah, rest assured you will experience a plethora of offerings in which to sink your imaginary Tyrannosaurus Rex teeth.

State-of-the-art museums dot the state beckoning you to experience prehistoric life, discover things you never knew, and watch in real-time as scientists work on life-size fossils.

In nature and on-site venues will transport you back more than 150 million years to when this region supported dinosaurs of all classifications. You’ll find yourself hunting for dino tracks embedded in red rock to walking along the most historically significant quarry sites in the world.

Many dinosaur adventures orient to the Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway, but Utah's prehistoric past expands across the state.

We’ve provided the must-sees in Utah museums and in nature/on-site with additional tips to help you plan your trip. Enjoy!

Museums

Northern Utah

Natural History Museum of Utah

This museum is nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains with panoramic views of Salt Lake City. Learn about Utah’s geological beginnings and why, even today, Utah has such a varied environment. The wide-open and winding elevated pathway of the Past Worlds exhibit grandly captures Utah’s abundant dinosaur history.

Sizing up the competition at the Natural History Museum of Utah.

On display are dozens of reconstructed dinosaur skeletons and fossils, including a duck-billed dinosaur, a Utahraptor, an Allosaurus and a huge Stegosaurus — all discovered in Utah quarries. A popular favorite is the world’s largest collection of horned dinosaur skulls.

The Experience: Indoor with access to hiking trails along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail

Family Friendly: Yes

Get Inspired: How to maximize an afternoon at the Natural History Museum

Plan a Visit: Learn More

North American Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point

The Museum of Ancient Life is part of the sprawling, multi-day destination and museum complex called Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. It boasts more than 60 dinosaur skeletons, including the world’s most complete Stegosaurus and 50 hands-on, interactive exhibits. For something special, take a fun paleontology class or watch an exciting 3D movie at the museum’s Mammoth Screen.

The Experience: Indoor with numerous options to explore more at the complex

Family Friendly: Yes

Get Inspired: Seeing the Dinosaurs of Utah Valley

Plan a Visit: Learn More

Brigham Young University Museum of Paleontology

If you only have an hour or so, the Museum of Paleontology in Provo, with free admission, packs in a plethora of fossils, full-size skeletons and minerals to view in detail. The museum is unique in that there’s an entire section that encourages visitors to touch real fossils.

The Experience: Indoor

Family Friendly: Yes

Get Inspired: Seeing the Dinosaurs of Utah Valley

Plan a Visit: Learn More

Meandering among the fearsome replicas of Ogden's George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park.

Ogden George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park

An afternoon-long adventure awaits those who want to imagine themselves living among dinosaurs. The park, along the Ogden River Parkway, is 8.5 acres-worth of 100 exhibits and realistic, full-size dinosaur replicas that come to life through robotics and a state-of-the-art sound system. Venture inside to the Stewart Paleontology Museum, which showcases dinosaur skeleton casts, fossils, an animatronic dinosaur display, a working paleontology lab and a natural history collection.

The Experience: Outdoor park with an indoor museum

Family Friendly: Yes

Get Inspired: Time Traveling at Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park

Plan a Visit: Learn More

Northeastern Utah

Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum

In the heart of “Dinosaurland” in Vernal is a can’t-miss virtual tour of our earth’s ancient history, housed in this grand 22,000 square-foot facility. Here you’ll see countless fossils (and a live Fossil Lab), dinosaur skeletons from surrounding quarries, educational exhibits and cultural displays. A highlight is the Dinosaur Garden, an outdoor diorama with numerous full-sized dinosaur replicas, including a 20-foot Tyrannosaurus and a 6-ton Stegosaurus.

The Experience: Indoor and Outdoor

Family Friendly: Yes

Get Inspired: What Makes it Great

Plan a Visit: Learn More