Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackway – Moab, Utah

Walk in the Footsteps of Giants

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine the desert 150 million years ago. Instead of jeeps on the highway or hikers with daypacks, this landscape shook beneath the weight of dinosaurs. A three-toed predator stalked its prey across the mud, while a long-necked sauropod lumbered alongside a herd. Today, their footsteps are still here — fossilized into stone.

At Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackway, just north of Moab, you can stand where they once stood, step where they once stepped, and experience the thrill of time travel with nothing but sandstone and sky around you. For kids, it’s a real-life Jurassic adventure. For adults, it’s awe in the purest form.

Trail Experience

The adventure begins at a gravel pullout just off US-191. From here, a short path climbs up sandstone ledges dotted with desert wildflowers in spring. The trail is unmarked but easy to follow, winding gently across pale slickrock with wide views of Copper Ridge stretching toward the La Sal Mountains.

In less than 10 minutes, you’ll arrive at the fossil site. Interpretive signs point out where to look, but the tracks practically leap out once your eyes adjust. Three-toed footprints left by a theropod (think Allosaurus) stride across the stone, while sauropod tracks — round impressions the size of dinner plates — reveal where a long-necked giant once walked.

Many families pause here to place their hands, or even children’s shoes, inside the prints to compare sizes. It’s impossible not to feel small in the best way, standing on ancient ground that still remembers its giants.

FAQ Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackway

How long does it take to hike Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackway?
The trail is about 0.3 miles round trip. Most visitors spend 20–40 minutes exploring the tracks and taking photos.

Can children hike this trail?
Yes. The short distance, fun scramble, and dinosaur tracks make it one of the best kid-friendly hikes near Moab.

How old are the Copper Ridge tracks?
The footprints date back about 150 million years, from the Late Jurassic period.

What dinosaurs made these tracks?
Paleontologists believe the three-toed tracks were made by a theropod (similar to Allosaurus) and the large round impressions by a sauropod (long-necked dinosaur).

Do I need a guide to visit?
No. The trail is self-guided with interpretive signs. A guide isn’t necessary, though kids may enjoy visiting with a ranger-led program in the area.

Are pets allowed?
Yes, leashed dogs are welcome on the trail, but keep them away from the fossil site.

When is the best time to go?
Spring and fall offer the most pleasant temperatures. In summer, visit early morning or evening to avoid the midday heat.

Can I touch the dinosaur tracks?
No. Touching or stepping inside the tracks accelerates erosion. Please admire them from just outside the edges.

Nearby Adventures

• Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite – More footprints just down the road, including armored dinosaur tracks.

• Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail – A short interpretive loop with fossil bones embedded in rock.

• Moab Giants Museum – An interactive dinosaur park with life-size reconstructions and a 3D theater.

• Arches National Park – Combine your dinosaur day with world-famous arches and desert landscapes.

Pro Tip: Create your own “Dinosaur Day in Moab.” Start at Copper Ridge, then head to Mill Canyon’s tracksite and bone trail, and finish at Moab Giants before dinner in town.