Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite
Step back 112 million years at Mill Canyon, where over 200 dinosaur tracks are preserved on a boardwalk. Free and educational!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Sun angle reveals tracks
Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite
Best Time
Sun angle reveals tracks
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Step back 112 million years at Mill Canyon, where over 200 dinosaur tracks are preserved on a boardwalk. Free and educational!
"Awesome! Just a short walk from the parking lot, and so many tracks to find."
🚗 Park Smarter, Walk Less
Park at the campground for a shorter walk to the tracks! #dinosaurtracks #moabutah
☀️ Best Light for Viewing
Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best sun angle to see the tracks clearly.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Ancient Footprints in Stone
Main tracksite area
Over 200 preserved tracks from at least ten different species, including dinosaurs and crocodiles.
+2
Interpretive Signage
Along the boardwalk
Informative displays explain the types of dinosaurs and crocodiles that left these tracks, and how they were preserved.
Boardwalk Access
Main tracksite area
A well-maintained boardwalk allows easy access and viewing of the delicate fossilized tracks.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything for Track Visibility
Strategic Parking for Shorter Walks
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Park Smarter, Walk Less
Park at the campground for a shorter walk to the tracks! #dinosaurtracks #moabutah
☀️ Best Light for Viewing
Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best sun angle to see the tracks clearly.
👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes
While there's a boardwalk, comfortable shoes are recommended for exploring the area. :athletic_shoe:
💧 Stay Hydrated
Especially in warmer months, bring plenty of water. It can get hot out there! :droplet:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Park Smarter, Walk Less
Park at the campground for a shorter walk to the tracks! #dinosaurtracks #moabutah
☀️ Best Light for Viewing
Visit early morning or late afternoon for the best sun angle to see the tracks clearly.
👟 Comfortable Walking Shoes
While there's a boardwalk, comfortable shoes are recommended for exploring the area. :athletic_shoe:
💧 Stay Hydrated
Especially in warmer months, bring plenty of water. It can get hot out there! :droplet:
🆓 Free Admission!
Enjoy this incredible paleontological site without any cost. :moneywithwings:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite as an accessible and free way to see real dinosaur footprints. The well-preserved tracks and informative signage are highlights, though some note the importance of visiting at the right time of day for optimal visibility. Parking strategy can significantly shorten the walk to the site.
"This is a free spot to see dinosaur tracks. From the highway to the site is a gravel road. There is a parking lot but it is a long walk to the site. If you keep driving you will see a campground. Park in there and the walk is much shorter. I don't know how it is other times of the year but when I went there were zero campers and only 1 other person to see the site."
Roger
"This is awesome! Just a short walk from the parking lot, and so many tracks to find. With a clear description of the kind of tracks you're seeing as well as how they came to be there. Suitable for all ages."
martine da graca
"The tracks are located off BLM 215 (Cotter Mine Road) near the Courthouse Rock Campground. There is a dirt parking lot, several interpretive displays, and a more primitive vault toilet close to the trailhead to the track site. Take the trail approximately 800 feet to the actual dinosaur tracks. This really is an amazing site to see as you are transported back in time to the early Jurassic period. According to one of the display boards, the trails are dotted with over 1,000 dinosaur footprints perfectly preserved in the sandy stone. It is best to visit this site in the early morning or late afternoon, because of the angle of the sun’s reflection, which makes it easier to see the tracks. Finally, we recommend when you are done here, to continue up the valley to the Mills Canyon Dinosaur Trail for a short 1.2-mile hike to see fossilized dinosaur bones and then take in a view of the Slickensides Arch."
Thomas B
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite is located about 20 minutes north of Moab, Utah, off Highway 191. Turn onto BLM 215 (Cotter Mine Road) and follow the gravel road. +1
The road from Highway 191 to the tracksite is a gravel road. While generally accessible, it's advisable to check local conditions, especially after rain.
For a shorter walk, park at the campground area instead of the main parking lot. The trail from there to the tracks is about 800 feet.
The gravel road is typically manageable for most vehicles, but high-clearance or 4WD might be beneficial in certain conditions.
Yes, GPS coordinates or searching for 'Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite' should guide you. However, cell service can be spotty, so downloading offline maps is a good idea.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission to the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite is completely free! It's a fantastic way to experience paleontology without any cost.
The site is open year-round during daylight hours. There are no set operating hours, allowing for flexible visits.
No, tickets are not required as the site is free to access. You can visit anytime during daylight hours.
Visitors are asked to stay on the boardwalk and trails to protect the delicate fossilized tracks. Do not disturb or remove any fossils.
There is no entrance fee. This is a public land site managed by the BLM, making it accessible to everyone.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
You can see over 200 tracks from at least ten different species, including sauropods, theropods (like Deinonychus and Acrocanthosaurus), dromaeosaurs, and crocodiles.
From the main parking lot, it's a longer walk. However, parking at the nearby campground significantly shortens the walk to about 800 feet along a trail.
Yes, there is a boardwalk that allows visitors to walk over and view the dinosaur tracks without damaging them.
The best times are early morning or late afternoon when the sun's angle makes the tracks easier to see.
A primitive vault toilet is available near the trailhead. It's advisable to use facilities before arriving if possible.
📸 📸 Photography
Visit during the golden hours (early morning/late afternoon) for dramatic lighting that highlights the track textures. Use a polarizing filter to reduce glare.
Yes, photography is encouraged! Capture the incredible detail of these ancient footprints.
Use a tripod for stability, especially in lower light. Experiment with different angles to capture the depth and shape of the tracks.
Drone usage is generally restricted on BLM lands for safety and environmental reasons. Always check current regulations before flying.
Include a person or an object of known size in the frame to give a sense of scale to the massive dinosaur footprints.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
+1 The boardwalk makes it easy for little legs to navigate, and the interpretive signs provide engaging facts that can spark curiosity. Make it an adventure by turning it into a scavenger hunt for different types of tracks or by telling stories about the creatures that made them.
The nearby Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail, with its fossilized bones, offers another excellent opportunity for young paleontologists to explore. 💰 Budget Travelers
Pack your own picnic and water to save on food costs, and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
🦖 Dinosaur Enthusiasts & Paleontology Buffs
+1 The ability to see prints from various theropods, sauropods, and even crocodiles provides valuable insights into the ancient ecosystem. +1 The site's preservation is exceptional, allowing for detailed study and appreciation of these ancient creatures' movements. Combine your visit with the nearby Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail for fossilized bones and consider exploring other tracksites in the wider Moab region for a comprehensive paleontological tour.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracks
+1 These aren't just random impressions; they represent at least ten different species, offering a diverse glimpse into the ancient ecosystem. Visitors can marvel at the prints left by large herbivores like sauropods, various carnivorous dinosaurs including potential tracks of Deinonychus and Acrocanthosaurus, and even ancient crocodiles. +1The preservation of these tracks is remarkable. They were formed when dinosaurs and other creatures walked through soft mud or sand near ancient wetlands. Over millions of years, this mud hardened into rock, and subsequent erosion has exposed these incredible imprints.
The site features a well-maintained boardwalk, allowing visitors to get up close without disturbing the delicate fossils. Informative interpretive displays provide context, explaining the types of animals and the geological processes that led to their preservation. For the best viewing experience, timing is crucial. The angle of the sun significantly impacts visibility. Early morning and late afternoon light casts shadows that accentuate the contours of the tracks, making them much easier to discern.
Beyond the Tracks: Exploring Nearby Attractions
For those interested in geological formations, the Slickensides Arch is also nearby and worth a visit after exploring the dinosaur sites.
Combining these attractions can create a full day of discovery, blending natural wonders with prehistoric history.When planning your visit, remember that many of these sites are on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This means they are often free to access but require visitors to practice Leave No Trace principles.
+1 Always check local conditions and any specific regulations before heading out to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. 
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit