Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracks Trail
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Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracks Trail
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The Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracks Trail is a great stop just outside of Arches National Park with some beautifully preserved dinosaur footprints. These Jurassic footprints are just a short hike from the parking area and worth the trip out to see them. This hike is a great opportunity for kids (and grown-ups) to engage with the natural history of the area.
Getting there
Follow highway 191 northwest from the Canyonlands Field Airport for 4.7mi and take the first turn on the right (east) side of the highway onto an unmaintained road. Staying left, follow this road to the first parking area approximately 2.0mi down. This is the trailhead for the Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracks Trail.
About
| Backcountry Campground | No |
| When to do | Year-round |
| Pets allowed | Yes |
| Family friendly | Yes |
| Route Signage | Average |
| Crowd Levels | Low |
| Route Type | Out and back |
Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracks Trail
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Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracks Trail Description
The Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracks Trail is a great little hike to some beautifully preserved Jurassic footprints outside Arches National Park. This hike has very little shade, so be sure to bring a good sunhat and lots of water with you. The access road is unmaintained so having a high-clearance vehicle is an asset. This trail is a great place to bring kids and introduce them to the area’s natural history. There are lots of places to play in and around the footprints, and this little hike can be great fun for the whole family.
Follow the path just a couple of hundred yards up the rocky trail to the footprints from the parking area. BLM signage will mark the location of these fossilized tracks. These footprints are likely from an Allosaurus and another sauropod from the Jurassic Period: either Camarasaurus, Apatosaurus, or Diplodocus.
Enjoy your time with these incredible pieces of natural history before turning back and following the same trail back to the parking area.
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