Dinosaur Footprints in Holyoke, Massachusetts, was an unplanned addition to our May 2025 dinosaur tracks weekend. A family we met at Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut described it so enthusiastically that we drove north to see it before turning south toward home.
We arrived at a roadside pull-off with no other visitors in sight. A short walk brought us to rock slabs bearing dinosaur tracks near a small creek. We saw another couple later, but otherwise had the site mostly to ourselves, giving us time to look closely and enjoy the setting.
A Close Look at Dinosaur Footprints
The track-bearing rock was close to the road, so we didn’t have to hike far to reach it. We spent time looking closely at the footprints and exploring the details visible in the slabs.
After Powder Hill and Dinosaur State Park, Holyoke gave us another outdoor setting to see dinosaur tracks. With the area mostly to ourselves, we could linger, take photos, and enjoy this unexpected stop.
A Scenic Walk to the Connecticut River
From the dinosaur track area, we took a short walk to the Connecticut River. The river views added another reason to enjoy the stop, with exposed rock slabs giving us more details to examine along the way.
We looked for additional tracks near the river, though we cannot confidently recall finding any. The confirmed footprints near the entrance were the highlight; the riverside scenery was a welcome addition.
An Important Note About River Access
The Trustees’ current visitor guidance states that crossing the railroad corridor is prohibited and that this reservation has no legal river access. Our experience should not be used as directions for reaching the river.
Keep your visit within permitted areas and follow the official access guidance and posted restrictions.
How a Conversation Changed Our Weekend
Our weekend began with a stop at Powder Hill Dinosaur Park, followed by an overnight stay near Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut. Holyoke was not on our original itinerary. It became part of the trip through a conversation with a family we met while making a dinosaur track cast.
We shared our Powder Hill experience, and they told us about Holyoke. Their recommendation was enough to send us north before heading home. That exchange became one of our favorite parts of the weekend: two families sharing discoveries and giving each other another place to explore.
Read about our Powder Hill visit, our Dinosaur State Park visit, and our casting experience for the other stops on our trip.
Planning Your Visit to Dinosaur Footprints
Dinosaur Footprints is on Route 5 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The Trustees list a small roadside parking turnout and seasonal visiting hours. Check the official Dinosaur Footprints visitor page for current directions, opening dates, and advisories before you go.
During our visit, the walk to the main tracks was short. That does not establish a step-free route or suitability for every visitor; contact The Trustees if you have specific access needs. Allow time to look closely at the footprints without rushing.
Leave the footprints and surrounding rock undisturbed. The Trustees prohibits making casts because the process damages the tracks. Unlike the designated casting activity at Dinosaur State Park, this is a place to observe and photograph the footprints.
A Detour Worth Remembering
Another family’s recommendation turned Holyoke into the final stop of our dinosaur tracks weekend. The short walk to the footprints, time to examine the rock slabs, and quiet setting made it a memorable addition to our trip.
Explore our East Coast Dinosaur Tracks guide for more destinations, or learn more about dinosaur track fossils and Fossils 101.
Adventure Never Gets Old™