Exploring Montana's Dinosaur Trail

You may have heard that a new species of dinosaur was revealed recently. Lokiceratops rangiformis is believed to be the fifth species of Ceratops (translates as horned face) and roamed ancient swamps of what is now the western part of North America nearly 78 million years ago. The fossils were discovered in the Montana Badlands, on private land near the Canadian border. This part of our state has one of the highest concentrations of dinosaur fossils on Earth.

Dinosaur fossils in Montana are so prevalent that the Montana Dinosaur Trail was created to guide visitors through fourteen locations with exhibits, programs and even field digs. Montana has some of the country's most important dinosaur discoveries and renowned paleontologists, so you'll be in good hands no matter where you explore. Stops on the trail range from small museums like the Depot Museum in Rudyard to the renowned Museum of the Rockies (MOR) here in Yellowstone Country.

Museum of the Rockies

MOR, a Smithsonian affiliate recognized as one of the world's finest research and history museums, is home to the world's most extensive collection of T. Rex and Triceratops specimens. It also has rotating exhibits from around the world, a living history farm, the Taylor Planetarium and a fantastic kid's section where children can learn about the wonders of Yellowstone Country.

Dinosaur Digs

Dinosaur digs are available at the Montana Dinosaur Center, Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station, and the Carter County Museum. Some digs are tailored specifically for kids, some for adults and others for all ages. Remember to get your Prehistoric Passport at the beginning of your trip, which is a fun tool to help you unearth the treasures at each stop.

Prehistoric Passport

Each passport includes Fun Fossil Facts, a section for field notes and space for the official "Dino Icon" stamps that verify the passport owner has visited a trail facility. Once you've collected all 14 unique "Dino Icon" stamps from each of the trail facilities, you'll receive a gold seal for your passport, which certifies completion, and an exclusive Montana Dinosaur Trail Prehistoric Passport T-Shirt designed explicitly for those who complete the trail.

The trail takes you through four of Montana's Tourism Regions. Visit Southeast Montana, with Makoshika State Park and other badlands; Montana's Missouri River Country, home to Fort Peck Reservoir, with 1,520 miles of shoreline (longer than the California coast); Central Montana, with the Missouri River Breaks; and Montana's Yellowstone Country with three of the five entrances to Yellowstone National Park.

As you travel along the Dinosaur Trail,  exploring the history and paleontology of Montana, be sure to check out other geological and cultural landmarks throughout the state. Each region's website has trip-planning information for lodging, events, dining, historical sites and outdoor recreation.

See you on the trail!