Powder Hill Dinosaur Park was our first stop on a dinosaur tracks weekend in May 2025. Following directions we found online, we arrived at a small site beside a residential road in Middlefield, Connecticut. There was little fanfare and room for only about three or four cars, where we parked.
Within a few steps of parking, we saw slabs of rock bearing dinosaur tracks. We were amazed at how quickly we went from driving through a neighborhood to examining footprints preserved in stone. We found ourselves fascinated by each one.
Dinosaur Tracks Just Steps from Where We Parked
Powder Hill’s small scale was part of what made our visit memorable. We did not need a long hike to reach the tracks; during our visit, they were just a few steps from where we parked. We could spend our time looking closely at the footprints and noticing their shapes in the rock.
This was a different experience from viewing tracks inside a museum. The outdoor setting made it a distinctive first stop before our visit to Dinosaur State Park.
Part of Our Dinosaur Tracks Weekend
We visited Powder Hill on our way to an overnight stay near Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill. It was a memorable first stop, giving us an outdoor look at dinosaur tracks before the exhibits and track-casting experience planned for the next day.
At Dinosaur State Park, we later met a family and told them about Powder Hill. They visited it on their way home, and their recommendation led us to Dinosaur Footprints in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Sharing those discoveries made the weekend even more special.
Read about our Dinosaur State Park visit and track casting experience, or explore our East Coast Dinosaur Tracks guide for more destinations.
The Quarry Behind the Tracks
According to the Town of Middlefield’s park information, people discovered the footprints while excavating stone for the Beseck Dam in 1846. Wesley Coe had permitted the town to use stone from his property for the project.
That history adds another dimension to a visit: removing stone brought these preserved footprints to light.
Planning Your Powder Hill Visit
The town’s recreation listing places Powder Hill Dinosaur Park at 309 Powder Hill Road in Middlefield, Connecticut. Use the official facility listing to confirm the location, and check with Middlefield Parks and Recreation about current access or any questions before visiting.
During our May 2025 visit, parking space was limited, and the tracks were close to where we parked. Respect nearby homes, driveways, and posted restrictions. The short distance we walked should not be taken as confirmation of a step-free or accessible route; ask the town about your particular access needs.
Help preserve the footprints by leaving the rock surfaces undisturbed. Do not collect pieces or mark the tracks.
A Small Stop That Left a Lasting Impression
Powder Hill reminded us that a memorable discovery does not always require a large museum or a long hike. This small stop beside a residential road gave us time to look closely at dinosaur footprints and made a fitting beginning to our weekend.
Learn more about dinosaur track fossils or explore Fossils 101 for an introduction to fossils and what we can observe in them.
Adventure Never Gets Old™