Rain had us wondering whether we would get to make a dinosaur track cast during our visit to Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut. We stayed overnight nearby, and casting was one of the experiences we looked forward to most. After checking in, we headed straight to the casting area, where a temporary tent offered cover in case the rain continued.
We visited on a weekend in late May 2025 and came away with more than a cast. We explored the protected dinosaur tracks inside the visitor center, spotted additional track-bearing rocks around the parking area, and traded destination tips with another family. Here is what we enjoyed and what to check when planning your own visit.
Making Our Dinosaur Track Cast
We were the first visitors to make a cast that morning. With rain still a possibility, we were glad to find the casting area covered by a temporary tent. As the weather cleared, more families arrived, and we enjoyed showing some of the children our cast.
Making a cast gave us hands-on experience while we viewed the tracks. We recorded the process in the video below, so you can see how it worked during our visit. Check the park’s current casting instructions and availability before planning your own activity, since arrangements may differ from what we experienced.
Exploring the Dinosaur Tracks Inside the Visitor Center
After making our cast, we headed into the visitor center to explore the exhibits and see the large, protected dinosaur-track area. Making a cast was memorable, but seeing the preserved footprints added another dimension to the visit.
The indoor exhibits gave us more to explore after the casting area. Together, the two experiences made this much more than a quick stop on our weekend trip.
More Dinosaur Tracks Around the Parking Area
As we left, we noticed large rocks around the parking area with dinosaur prints. Our visit was not quite over after all. We spent more time looking at the tracks and encountered a family we had met earlier at the casting area.
Together, we walked around looking for more prints and comparing what we noticed. It was an unexpected highlight of the day, a chance to keep exploring and share the excitement with other visitors.
Turning Our Visit into a Dinosaur Tracks Weekend
We stayed one night in a hotel near Dinosaur State Park and added other dinosaur-track stops to our weekend. On the way there, we visited Powder Hill Dinosaur Park in Connecticut.
While talking with the family we met at Dinosaur State Park, we exchanged ideas for other places to explore. We told them about Powder Hill, which they visited on their way home. They told us about Dinosaur Footprints in Holyoke, Massachusetts, which we stopped at on our way home.
That conversation added another discovery to both families’ trip. For us, it reminded us that sharing experiences with other visitors can be part of the adventure.
A Little More Fossil Fun at Home
Before leaving, we purchased a fossil sifting bag to take home. Weeks later, we enjoyed searching through its contents for fossils, extending the fun beyond our weekend trip.
We purchased this activity separately from the dinosaur track casting and viewing experiences at the park. Along with our cast, it gave us another way to revisit those memories after we got home.
Planning Your Visit to Dinosaur State Park
Dinosaur State Park is at 400 West Street in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Check the official park website for current exhibit hours, admission fees, activity schedules, and notices before setting out. The grounds and Exhibit Center have different schedules, so plan around the experiences you want to include.
If track casting is a priority, review the park’s materials list before leaving home. Visitors supply their own casting materials, and the park advises against casting during inclement weather. The temporary tent we encountered during our May 2025 visit may not be available for every visit.
Allow time for the indoor exhibits and the casting activity. For questions about weather, activity availability, or access needs, contact the park at 860-529-5816.
An Adventure Worth Sharing
Our visit began with uncertainty about the rain and ended with a dinosaur track cast, memorable exhibits, and a conversation that led us to another destination. We enjoyed both the discoveries and sharing them with other visitors.
For more places to explore, visit our East Coast Dinosaur Tracks guide, learn about dinosaur track fossils, or start with Fossils 101.
Adventure Never Gets Old™