Sometimes we forget how blessed we are in Montana. Not every state has its own Glacier or Yellowstone. Few states can compete with the abundance of wildlife here or rival our picturesque scenery. Marvelous landscapes and wide-open spaces set us apart from most states in the Union. And it is because of these geographical wonders (in part) that Montana is one of the few states renowned for its fossil finds and dinosaur museums.
“Our paleo treasures are one of the great reasons to visit Montana,” explains Victor Bjornberg, volunteer coordinator for the Montana Dinosaur Trail, a network of museums across the Treasure State, each with its own permanent (and significant) paleontological exhibits.
A Prehistoric Passport (available at any Trail partner) provides incentive to visit all fourteen facilities; an exclusive Montana Dinosaur Trail t-shirt is awarded to anyone who gets their passport stamped at every Trail facility within five years.
Created in 2005, the Montana Dinosaur Trail has hosted well over 330,000 visitors annually for the last several years including a record 410,000 in 2021! Its Passport has been sold in 48 states, Canada, and European and Pacific Rim countries.
Whether you’re a local or out-of-stater, the Montana Dinosaur Trail presents you a remarkable opportunity to view real prehistoric skeletons and, in some cases, excavate them. Three Trail facilities offer field digs. All Trail facilities offer a window into our past.
For more information, visit mtdinotrail.org.