Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail

Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail offers an incredible hands-on paleontology experience where kids can see and touch real dinosaur bones still embedded in rock,no museum glass required! This easy, flat 1-mile trail winds through stunning red rock desert terrain, with interpretive signs explaining the 150-million-year-old Jurassic fossils that kids can actually examine up close.

• ✓Real dinosaur bones you can actually touch embedded in the rock ledges
• ✓Fragments of sauropod leg bones, ribs, and vertebrae visible along the trail
• ✓Educational interpretive markers explaining what you're seeing
• ✓Beautiful red rock canyon scenery and desert landscape
• ✓Free outdoor museum experience with authentic Jurassic-period fossils

1. 1.Download or print the interpretive guide from the BLM website beforehand,the numbered posts correspond to specific fossil sites and make the experience much more educational
2. 2.Visit early morning (before 9am) or late afternoon to avoid harsh midday sun and heat, especially in summer when temperatures can exceed 100°F
3. 3.Bring a small brush or paintbrush,kids love gently dusting sand off the fossils to see them better (just look, don't remove anything!)
4. 4.The trailhead is 15 miles north of Moab on Highway 191, then 1 mile on a maintained dirt road,most vehicles can make it, but check conditions after rain
5. 5.Pack way more water than you think you need,there are zero facilities or shade on this trail

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for hiking. Visit in early morning or late afternoon to avoid intense sun exposure. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends, giving kids more time to examine fossils without feeling rushed.

This is a free, undeveloped BLM trail with no facilities, water, or restrooms,come fully prepared with all supplies. The dirt access road is usually passable but may be muddy after rain, so check conditions before heading out.

Open year-round, but best visited spring and fall when temperatures are moderate. Summer can be dangerously hot (100°F+) with no shade,only visit very early morning if going June-August. Winter can be icy and snow may make the access road impassable.

Head back to Moab for kid-friendly options like Moab Diner (classic comfort food and milkshakes) or Milt's Stop & Eat (burgers and their famous chocolate shakes). Pack snacks and lunch to enjoy at the trail since it's 15 miles from town.