As a popular southwest tourist destination, Moab, Utah, is best known for its proximity to Arches and Canyonlands national parks. Its red-rock desert landscape, cut through by the Colorado River, is also a spectacular playground for all kinds of outdoor adventures such as mountain biking, off-roading and thrilling jet boat rides. But there’s a whole other field of interest represented in the rocks around Moab — dinosaurs!
Many astounding paleontological discoveries have been uncovered in the region around Moab (known as the “Dinosaur Diamond’), including some of the earliest and biggest dinosaur fossils in all of paleontology. There are a number of hiking trails leading to dinosaur track sites in and around Moab. However, the must-visit spot for anyone wanting to add a dinosaur excursion to their itinerary is Moab Giants. The family-friendly destination features a top-notch museum and so much more, with a range of indoor and outdoor attractions for all ages.
Things to see and do at Moab Giants
Moab Giants offers indoor and outdoor exhibits for visitors to explore at their leisure, plus a regular schedule of 3D movie showings. This format is great for switching between active outdoor exploration and climate-controlled comfort, all while learning amazing facts about dinosaurs. Allow around 2 to 3 hours to see everything, although you’re welcome to stay longer.
Dinosaur Trail
The signature attraction at Moab Giants is a half-mile desert trail lined with over 100 full-size replicas of dinosaur species that once roamed the Moab area. These are some truly excellent replicas — lifelike in appearance, posture and even personality. You can stroll right up to the dinos and walk among them, posing for fun photo ops made even more awesome by the backdrop of red rocks and majestic La Sal Mountains.
Meet some of the most famous dinosaurs to roam this land throughout the Mesozoic era, including gentle giant sauropods like the 80-foot-plus diplodocus, and mighty carnivores like Utahraptor and T-rex. Mingle with iguanodon and velociraptor, and discover lesser-known dinos like plateosaurus, dilophosaur and zhejiangopterus.
Interactive Tracks Museum
Browse the exhibits at Moab Giants’ Interactive Tracks Museum to learn more about prehistoric life in the region and the work of pioneering paleontologists. See preserved dinosaur tracks, which are abundant around Moab, and find out what they reveal about different species, their movement patterns, hunting behavior and even how they died.
Exhibits include replica and original fossils and all kinds of models of some of the few dozen dino species that roamed here some 65 to 230 million years ago, when the landscape was very different to the one we see today. Also check out the rock art gallery, and don’t miss the giant clawed foot crashing through the ceiling at the museum entrance.
3D Theater
Take a break from walking around and enjoy one (or both) 3D movies showing throughout the day at Moab Giants. Grab a pair of 3D glasses as you enter the theater. Choose from the 24-minute showcase of everyone’s favorite, fiercest dinosaur, “T-Rex,” or take a journey from the earliest Triassic to the Cretaceous era with the 20-minute “Dinosaurs Alive!”
5D Prehistoric Aquarium
Moab’s fossil record doesn’t only preserve land animals, but also the fascinating inhabitants of long-gone waterways. The 5D Prehistoric Aquarium brings them back to life through virtual exhibits that appear and feel very real, thanks to 3D glasses and a guided walk-through tour. You’ll see unique underwater creatures such as prehistoric sea turtles, fish, crocodilians and pterosaurs swimming around and toward you. It’s all quite serene until the finale — an exciting appearance by the mighty megalodon.
Dino Playground & PaleoCamp
In the heart of Moab Giants is a very well-done dinosaur themed playground. Parents know a superior playground when they see one, and this is the real deal. Young kids could be happy for hours with the rock, web and log-like climbing structures, swings, slides and climbable dinosaurs. Adjacent to the playground is the PaleoCamp, a kid-friendly, interactive recreation of a paleontologist’s field camp with a plank shelter, open-topped Jeep and vintage tools.
Dig-It-Out Sites
Kids get to play paleontologist at these two partially shaded sandbox sites along the trail. The sites represent two different time periods, with hidden fossils that kids can carefully uncover using brushes and shovels. There are benches and misters nearby for observers.
Ticket options
Moab Giants offers two distinct ticketing options depending on what exhibits you want to see and how long you want to stay. The VIP Pass is all-inclusive, covering all indoor and outdoor attractions. The Dino Pass gives you access to all the outdoor exhibits plus the museum. (You may add on tickets to the 3D Theater showings and 5D Prehistoric Aquarium.) Family passes are available for both ticket options as well.
Cafe & gift shop
Finally, Moab Giants has a sit-down cafe on site. They offer sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, wraps, gelato, coffee, and a kids’ menu. Before you leave, check out the gift shop for all kinds of dinosaur-themed souvenirs.
Details:
Moab Giants
112 West SR-313, Moab, UT 84532
(435) 355-0288
(All photos by California News Press)
Related: A Family Guide to St. George, Utah