Dinosaur State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Dinosaur State Park is located in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and is a great place to visit for dinosaur enthusiasts and families alike.


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Summary

The park is home to more than 500 dinosaur footprints, which were preserved in sandstone from the early Jurassic period, over 200 million years ago.

Some of the reasons to visit Dinosaur State Park include the opportunity to see and learn about the history of dinosaurs, the chance to walk through the beautiful natural surroundings, and the opportunity to participate in educational programs and hands-on activities.

In addition to the footprints, visitors can also explore the park's exhibit center, which includes displays of real fossils, interactive exhibits, and a life-sized model of a Dilophosaurus.

Visitors can also take advantage of the park's many hiking trails, picnic areas, and the chance to go fishing in the nearby pond.

Interesting facts about the area include that the footprints were discovered in 1966 during construction of the park's building, and that the tracks were made by a type of dinosaur called a Eubrontes.

The best time of year to visit Dinosaur State Park is in the summer when the weather is warm and the park is open daily. However, the park is also open year-round with limited hours during the fall, winter, and spring.

Overall, Dinosaur State Park is an excellent destination for anyone interested in learning about dinosaurs and exploring the natural world.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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