Description

The Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracksite preserves the peculiar tracks of a long-necked herbivorous dinosaur (sauropod), along with two different sizes of meat-eating dinosaur (theropod) tracks. This site stands out for being the first place in Utah where sauropod tracks were discovered, as well as showing a large sauropod making a right turn as it strode roughly 150 million years ago. Paleontologists have yet to find other evidence showing a dinosaur making an abrupt change in direction. Tracks from one of the theropod dinosaurs indicate that it limped along an ancient sandbar, and show that it suffered from an injury.

These unique tracks provide a glimpse into the past. Tracks help paleontologists understand the approximate size of the animal, it’s speed, and its direction. We would not be able to learn from bones alone key information about the environment these animals traversed, as well as other interesting features of their daily lives.

The interpretive trail is 1/3 mile long, round trip. From the kiosk, take the marked trail up the hill along the sandstone path. At the top of the hill, follow the signs marking the trail.