Take a journey back in time to the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm. This world-class dinosaur site includes a rare combination of fossilized bones and footprints of dinosaurs and many other ancient animals. St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm is a must see for anyone interested in dinosaurs, geology and the ancient Jurassic world. At the site you may observe more than 2,000 tracks made by dinosaurs and other animals. You can also see the world’s largest collection of dinosaur swim tracks and see one of only six tracks in the world made by a sitting dinosaur. Bus tours are welcome.
The St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm displays some of the oldest and best-preserved tracks in the world. Dinosaur tracks were discovered on the farm in February, 2000, and it has become quite an attraction. The site is in the early stages of scientific study - so far more than 1,000 tracks have been found within a 10-acre area. Most were made by Dilophosaurus-like creatures and are three-toed, 13-18 inches long. There are also some smaller tracks and researchers have identified skin prints and impressions made by tail drags and swimming movements.
The tracks were found in large slabs of sandstone from the Moenave Formation, dating back some 205 million years to the beginning of the dinosaur era. Residents tromped over that very sandstone for years, never realizing it sheltered such treasures. Nobody knew, until Dr. Sheldon Johnson flipped over a slab while trying to level his land. There, on the underside, the tracks were clearly visible.
Most of the tracks are actually "negative impression" casts that appear as bumps on the stone. The area was the bottom of an ancient freshwater lake in the center of the super-continent Pangea. Footprints left in the mud filled with silt and sand, and more sand was deposited over the top. The mixture eventually solidified into sandstone and mudstone, forming the casts. Now, when the slabs are flipped over, the casts appear, much like Jell-O popping out of a mold.
Dr. Johnson donated his land to the city of St. George and the U.S. Congress recently appropriated funds to help construct a science and visitor center. Volunteers do most of the work at the site.
Small groups can just show up during open hours. Larger groups should schedule a tour.
It is easy to find. Take Exit 10 from I-15 onto 3050 East (Pineview Drive). Follow it south until it swings to the southwest and becomes Riverside Drive. Just continue driving until you reach the site, which is marked by a sign.
* Open hours: 10 am until 6 pm
* Days of operation: Monday through Saturday
* Closed Sundays
* Open every holiday except Christmas & Thanksgiving
* Address: 2180 E. Riverside Drive
* Phone: 435-574-DINO (3466)
* To schedule tours or to volunteer, please contact Janice Evans, the Volunteer Coordinator
Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm
2180 E. Riverside Drive, St George
435-574-DINO (3466)
www.sgcity.org/dinotrax/
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