A road trip through Utah is filled with sights of otherworldly landscapes in shades of reds, oranges, corals and everything in between.
While millions of people travel to Utah to visit its national parks like Zion and the rest of the “Mighty 5”, Utah’s scenic beauty and adventure extend beyond Utah’s National Parks.
Zion National Park. One of Utah’s Mighty 5
Did you also know that Utah is also famous for its dinosaur discoveries?
If hiking to discover real dinosaur tracks sparks your curiosity, why not make it happen on your next road trip to Utah?!
How many people can say they have done that?
While I was on a road trip in Utah, I discovered a short hiking trail that leads to dinosaur tracks and it was only 43 minutes from Zion National Park. The trail is in a town called St George right outside the Nevada Utah state lines.
In this post, I will share how you can hike to dinosaur tracks in Utah and go on your own dinosaur adventure.
Why Dinosaur Tracks in Utah?
Chasing dinosaur tracks wasn’t originally on my mind when traveling to Utah, but during the drive, I kept noticing dinosaur-themed logos and statues in front of many businesses.
And I thought, what’s up with all the dinosaurs?
That seems cheezy!! (Although I love me some cheezy sometimes LOL)
I consulted the higher power, Google, and that’s when I realized that Utah was well known for dinosaur discoveries.
Hiking trails can be found across the state that will lead you to real dinosaur tracks. Some of the trails are fairly easy and you don’t have to hike for miles through the desert to get to them.
While coming back from Zion, I couldn’t pass up the chance to go hike to real dino tracks. The hiking spot was almost along the route back to Vegas where I was headed, so I thought – why not go check it out? I found myself in the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, in St George, where I would start my dino adventure.
Where to Find Dinosaur Tracks In Utah
Below I will share all you need to know about experiencing this adventure for yourself, where to find the tracks and FAQ’s.
Where is St George?
If you have ever driven from Vegas to Zion National Park, you most likely drove right through this town. It’s the first town in Utah after you leave Nevada along highway 15.
Where are the dinosaur tracks?
I used my GPS, to map out “Red Cliffs National Conservation Area.” It was only a 20-minute scenic drive from downtown St George.
On the way, I passed some beautiful scenery of mountainous red rock and the beautiful Quail Lake. Seeing this beautiful lake along the way, was definitely a pleasant surprise!
Does it cost anything?
It is a very small fee to park at Red Hills. Only $5. There is no attendant on site. Instead, you pay at a small Kiosk where you need to put $5 in an envelope and place it in a box for parking. That’s it!
Hiking To The Dinosaur Tracks
When I arrived at Red Cliffs, I walked around and looked for a sign that said “Silver Reef Trail.” This is the trail you want to look for that will lead you to the dino tracks.
The trail isn’t that easy to find in the beginning, even by looking at the maps. (Hint: you will find it near the bathrooms!)
Once I finally spotted the metal post that marked the trail, I made my way up the Silver Reef Trail in 100 degree F weather. Within literally 1 minute, I saw a sign that pointed to the dinosaur tracks.
One of the easiest hikes ever, minus the heat!
I looked on the red sandy ground for tracks and spotted several dinosaur footprints in sets of 2. The dinosaurs that were found in this area are Bipedal which means they walked on 2 feet – kind of like how we humans do.
There is a total of 17 dino tracks in the path, but some are easier to spot than others.
There are dino tracks to be found in museums, but I found it more adventurous to hike to them in the “real world.” If you want to learn more about dinosaurs, you can also check out a Museum in town called the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm. They have some preserved tracks and dinosaur fossils on site.
Watch this video below to see where to find the tracks and a glimpse at the awesome scenery you will pass on the way.
Have you taken a roadtrip to Utah? What was your favorite part about it? Comment below!
