Dinosaur State Park features a small network of mostly forested trails with boardwalks through a range of natural features including a red maple swamp, shrub swamp, and habitats including vernal pools, and a tour of the Arboretum including a butterfly garden. The access to the network is via the Red trail, which forms a loop beginning between the parking lot and casting area. The Blue trail forms a loop off of the Red trail to the west. The Yellow and Orange trails branch off of the Red trail to the South and East.
The Connecticut Valley has a long history of fossil track discoveries. Outstanding specimens uncovered in 19th century brownstone quarries found their way into museums throughout the world. A new chapter in the history of such discoveries was written in 1966 when thousands of tracks were exposed in Rocky Hill. This remarkable site became Dinosaur State Park.
The site contains more than 2,600 individual dinosaur footprints. Most of which are classified as Eubrontes Giganteus. After the discovery, the original plan was to build a large exhibit center over the main trackway. However, due to budget constraints, the structure was not built. In order to preserve the main trackway, they were reburied in 1976 and remain that way today.
Only about 1/3 of the tracks remain exposed in the current domed exhibit center built around 1980.
This park is managed by the following CT DEEP Park Headquarters:
Take exit 23 off I-91 in Rocky Hill. Follow parks signs east on West Street for approximately 1 mile. The park is directly off West Street. Watch for signs and a large geodesic dome.
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