Dinosaurs ruled the earth for 160 million years and then suddenly, mysteriously, they were gone, leaving behind fossils and bones, clues as to what their lives were like. Thanks to the luck of laypeople and the hard work of paleontologists we now have insights into the past. Many of these discoveries have taken place in Wyoming, where millions of years of erosion have exposed vast areas filled with dinosaur bones. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center was opened in 1995 and includes active dig sites, a complete preparation laboratory, and a museum that provides visitors a window into a prehistoric past. 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Wyoming Dinosaur Center’s opening and they are celebrating by bringing even more amazing finds to the public.
Explore Wyoming Dinosaur Center’s Amazing Specimens
Throughout the last 30 years more than 13,000 bones have been discovered by Wyoming Dinosaur Center patrons and paleontologists. Hundreds of those fossils are now on display in the center’s museum. Among the outstanding exhibits is the largest Stegosaurus skin impression ever found, Stan, a T-rex who stands 35-feet tall and the “Thermopolis Specimen”, a significant Archaeopteryx fossil clearly showing impressions of feathers. The center houses both the smallest dinosaur found in Wyoming, a Hesperonithoides miessleri nicknamed Lori, and the largest, a Supersaurus named Jimbo, which measures 106 feet long. And while most of the specimens in the exhibit were found right here in Thermopolis, they also have a few in the museum from other parts of the world, including fossilized fish from Scotland and flying reptiles from Brazil. The museum pairs these creatures with important interpretive information creating an ideal environment for learning. For example, their Walk Through Time exhibit allows visitors to follow the evolution of ancient life, from the most primitive forms to the rise of the dinosaurs.
Dig for a Day and Excavate Dinosaur Bones
While there’s plenty to keep you busy in the museum it would be a shame to miss out on the center’s amazing programming. They have something for everyone, making it possible for people of all ages to find a way to engage. The interpretive dig sites allow visitors to tour the record of time as they explore the layers where ancient dinosaurs lay buried, waiting to be discovered. And if you’re excited about participating, the Dig for the Day program offers guests an opportunity to get their hands dirty, working alongside skilled professionals as they uncover dinosaur bones and prepare fossils in the lab. After you get your fill of digging and prepping, a private guide will take you on a tour of the museum. Many of the fossils in the museum have been discovered with the help of this program, including the Allosaurus, Camarasaurus and Diplodocus specimens. For children ages 6 to 13, check out the Kids’ Dig program and for older kids consider the Dinosaurs Academy. And grandparents and grandchildren who are looking to get some time together can sign up for the Generations program, a week-long camp spent excavating and preparing fossils. All programs can be found and booked on the center’s website.
Discover Something New
To celebrate 30 incredible years, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center is pulling out all the stops. They have been hard at work updating and remodeling the museum and have several exciting new exhibits to share with the public, one of which is the brand new (but incredibly old) skeleton of an extremely rare dinosaur that’s closely related to Triceratops–there are only a handful of them known in the world and you’ll be able to see one at the center after the exhibit reopens to visitors in March 2025. Also, there’s now an almost complete Allosaurus that will be on display, alongside many new fossils, all showcasing the best finds from Thermopolis. The updated displays and improved flow of exhibits should make for a comprehensive experience designed to suit all visitors and complement the world-class collection of fossils, leaving visitors with an unforgettable experience. And don’t forget to swing by the gift store on your way out to pick up your own fossil to take home, along with gems, jewelry, books, toys and excellent educational materials.
For more information:
Wyoming Dinosaur Center
110 Carter Ranch Rd, Thermopolis, WY 82443
(307) 864-2997 or (800) 455-DINO
wyomingdinosaurcenter.org