Ogden's George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park
4.7(4.6K)google
4.5(110)yelp
PrehistoricFossilsScienceFamilyKidsEducational
Overview
Spanning over eight spectacular, wooded acres along the scenic Ogden River, this premier family-friendly educational park houses more than 60 life-sized robotic and artistic dinosaur replicas. Complete with roaring sound effects and realistic moving features, the park utilizes advanced paleontology findings to educate children, featuring an interactive fossil excavation sandbox, a modern science museum laboratory, and a gem-mining station.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sun12:00 – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3 hours
Best TimeVisit on clear mornings between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM from May to September. Set on a manicured, wooded outdoor park loop along the Ogden River, the morning sun lights up the 100+ full-scale robotic roaring dinosaur replicas beautifully, offering a relaxed walking pace and perfect photo-ops for families before school lines build.
Getting ThereLocated in east Ogden at 1544 Park Boulevard. Driving is highly efficient from the interstate: take I-15 to Exit 344 for downtown, and head east along 12th Street for 3 miles straight toward the mouth of Ogden Canyon. Turn left onto Park Boulevard; the family attraction features its own high-capacity, free paved asphalt guest parking plaza.
Travel Tips
- Winter Trail Ice Closures: The park’s main drawing card is its collection of 100 outdoor life-sized dinosaur models scattered along winding forest tracks. From November to March, heavy mountain snow and sheet ice render these walking loops hazardous and closed.
- Weekday School Field Trip Chaos: During spring and fall semesters, local public elementary classes flood the outdoor interactive dig pits from 9 AM to 1 PM. To escape the screaming crowds and chaotic playground rush, schedule your visit after 2 PM.
- Bring Your Own Sandbox Excavation Tools: While a public fossil discovery sand pit is free for kids, the facility-supplied plastic shovels and sifters are severely limited and frequently broken. Bring your own basic plastic trowels and brushes for a seamless experience.
Reviews
Positive
- Over a hundred life-sized, high-fidelity dinosaur models nestled in shady woods with realistic sound effects offer immense fun and authentic impact for kids.
- The paleontology lab lets visitors watch researchers prep real dinosaur fossil bones through glass, giving the park serious scientific core value.
- Admission fees offer stellar value compared to major theme parks; restrooms are ample and spotlessly clean, with great seating and accessible tracks.
- Set by a valley stream with lush trees, it boasts great natural aesthetics; low weekday crowd density keeps commercial stress away under caring management.
Heads up
- Some older outdoor models feature cracked paint from long exposure to elements, and broken audio sensors are left unrepaired, looking slightly worn.
- The on-site gift shop and snack counter enforce unpredictable, rigid closing hours, often shutting early with food limited to frozen ice creams.
- Located away from Ogden downtown with zero direct public transit; car-less global guests face high rideshare fares and low transport convenience.
- Weekend peak hours flood the outdoor dino fossil digging sandboxes with toddlers; a complete lack of staff supervision leads to chaotic disorder.