St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm

St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm

The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm is one of the most significant paleontological sites in North America. Discovered in 2000 by a local optometrist walking on his property, the site contains thousands of exceptionally well-preserved dinosaur tracks from the Early Jurassic period, approximately 200 million years ago. The tracks were made by multiple species of theropod dinosaurs — the ancestors of modern birds — walking along an ancient lakeshore.

What You Will See

The museum features a massive enclosed trackway building that protects the in-situ tracks exactly where they were found. Visitors can walk along elevated boardwalks directly above hundreds of three-toed dinosaur footprints, swim tracks (the first-ever discovered evidence of dinosaurs swimming), and tail drag marks preserved in ancient lake sediment. Interactive exhibits explain the geology, the animals that made the tracks, and what Southern Utah looked like 200 million years ago — a lush tropical lakeside very different from today's desert landscape. The museum also displays fossil fish, invertebrates, and plant material found at the site.

Visiting the Dinosaur Discovery Site

Located at the corner of Riverside Drive and Main Street in St. George, the museum is easy to find and has ample parking. Admission is affordable (under $10 for adults, discounts for children and seniors), and guided tours are available. The museum typically hosts special events, children's programs, and visiting scientist presentations. It's one of the best family-friendly things to do in St. George and a perfect rainy-day or hot-afternoon indoor activity. Allow 1-2 hours for a thorough visit. Combine it with a walk along the nearby Virgin River Trail for a complete learning-and-nature experience.