George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park: Outside Exhibits

Now the reason we came to this museum was for the outdoor exhibits . . . LIFESIZE dinosaurs!! Being in Utah, plus the forest surroundings, made it a perfect summer hike. Of course the museum had to place two well-known dinosaurs directly outside the door. They also had sound effects as well, so it really helped create the right mood.

T-Rex and Parasaurolophus


Utahraptor: I believe this is the state dinosaur of Utah. (I have been informed that actually Allosaurus is the state dinosaur, but Utahraptor is definitely named after the state where it was found.)


Ceratosaurus:


Looking back at T Rex and Parasarolophus. It really was a beautiful day, and we were surrounded by the beautiful outdoors - blue sky, green forest, awe-inspiring mountains . . .


Camptosaurus:


Maiasaurus: This is the dinosaur that made scientists realize dinosaurs had mothering instincts. It is also featured on a Diego episode, which we have seen many times.


Dryosaurus:


Apatosaurus:


Triceratops:


Ceratosaurus: Now all around the park there were signs that clearly read, "Please walk only on blacktop paths. Do not touch creatures. Thank you." Tom hadn't paid attention to any of those signs and at this point decided he wanted to have some fun, so he started having the kids do silly pictures. He even laughed at me when I told him we weren't supposed to get off the path and commented, "They haven't said not to." Well actually they have (see Camptosaurus photo), but it was fun taking the pictures. So here are Ryan and Shelby being fed to a ceratosaurus.



Dilophosaurus:


Allosaurus:


Utahraptor: Fighting with Tom.


Stygimoloch: Ramming Shelby. Until the end, she was the only one of our girls willing to go along with Dad's ideas.


Troodon: Getting kneed in the face by Ryan.


Camarasaurus: Getting its nose picked by Shelby.


Ankylosaurus:


Dimetrodon: Getting pulled backwards by Ryan and then by Taylor and Shelby.




After awhile we got to an area filled with these props to take pictures, so of course we had to take pictures.


This was the only one Payden would do.


Declan didn't quite get it, but was glad to get to do it like everyone else.


Allosaurus Cave: Payden was scared to go in, but it was a really shallow cave with this in it.


Diplodocus:


The kids just had to take this photo op: Ryan tried his best to fit the part. Shelby had to take the picture but couldn't make a dangerous face if her life depended on it . . . it's just not in her. Taylor just acted like a dinosaur like she had almost all day long.




Finally Madison had a turn.


By this point we were ready to sit down and take a breather. We'd seen most of the dinosaurs by this point, so we went to the park on the grounds and sat down on a bench to rest.