Dinosaurs are a rare but important portion of the fossil fauna of Petrified Forest National Park. Park sediments preserve fossils of the Late Triassic 'dawn of the dinosaurs' when these animals first appeared worldwide. In contrast to the large sauropods, horned dinosaurs, and the famed Tyrannosaurus rex of the later Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, the Triassic dinosaurs of Arizona were mainly small, bipedal carnivores no bigger than a human in size. Unlike their descendents which filled every terrestrial ecological niche, the dinosaurs of the Triassic shared the landscape with other types of predatory reptiles, most notably the crocodile-like phytosaurs and rauisuchians.

In direct competition with these other voracious predators, the small dinosaurs evolved characteristics that would allow them to compete for prey. These evolutionary developments included characters of the pelvis and ankle which allowed the animals to keep their legs straight under their body for a bipedal stance and greater running ability. The front limbs were now free for uses such as grasping prey. Evidence also suggests that these early dinosaurs may have traveled in packs allowing them to bring down larger prey including the large cow-like dicynodont Placerias and even the armored aetosaurs such as Desmatosuchus. It is also very likely that these predators were generalists and scavenged carcasses for food as do many carnivores today.

Most visitors to the park are surprised to hear that dinosaur fossils are rare finds in the park. This rarity is most likely due to aspects of fossil preservation and not due to a scarcity of dinosaurs in the Triassic. These early dinosaurs were small and possessed hollow bones, the same as modern birds. When an animal died its bones were subject to scavenging by other animals as well as exposure to wind and rain, breaking them down before they were buried. As a result small, hollow bones were less likely to be preserved than the bones of larger reptiles with solid bones.

The days of the dinosaurs roar to life at Jurassic Forest! Meet life-size dinosaurs face to face while exploring this 40-acre prehistoric preserve, just minutes from Edmonton and millions of years from the present. 2-23210 Township Road 564, Gibbons Alberta. Features life-sized dinosaurs positioned along a 1/2-mile long nature trail. Visiting explorers enter through the Dino Roar Valley basecamp where they are briefed on their expedition’s mission. As explorers approach the main gate into the park, they’re met by a roaring Dilophosaurus – the first of many dinosaur encounters to come! Dinosaur Forest. All Discussions Screenshots Artwork Broadcasts Videos News Guides Reviews 0 in Group Chat View Stats. Dinosasur Forest is a fast paced chaotic first person wave-based shooter that pits players equipped with some basic weapons against species currently inhabiting the Unknown Planet.

However, our knowledge of Triassic dinosaurs in the American Southwest is on the rise as paleontologists are successfully targeting areas of the correct age and depositional environment most likely to preserve dinosaur bones and discovering more dinosaur material in the park.

Petrified Forest National Park Late Triassic Dinosaur Taxa List
Chindesaurus bryansmalli (Theropoda)
Coelophysis sp. (Coelophysoidea)

Chinle Formation, Northeastern Arizona, Late Triassic Dinosaur Taxa List
Camposaurus arizonensis (Coelophysoidea)
Chindesaurus bryansmalli (Theropoda)
Coelophysis bauri (Coelophysoidea)
Tawa hallae (Theropoda)
Daemonosaurus chauliodus (Theropoda)

Prehistoric Forest in Irish Hills, Michigan, USA was a small amusement park with a dinosaur theme. It was built to take advantage of the blossoming tourist trade along US Route 12 but as the interstates were built, the area saw less traffic. Prehistoric Forest was closed in 1999.

The area known as Irish Hills in southeastern Michigan was named so after a number of Irish families settled there between 1830 and 1850. In the 1920s, it began to become popular as a tourist destination with many Summer homes and cabins being built. The area was renowned for its natural beauty with rolling hills and a number of lakes. Its location on the main route between Detroit and Chicago was also seen as beneficial.

A number of family-oriented tourist traps opened up along US Route 12. An old west theme park known as Stagecoach Stop USA was followed by a dinosaur amusement park called Prehistoric Forest in 1963.

A sign at the entrance to the Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park

Prehistoric Forest had a number of attractions. A train ride transported visitors back in time as it weaved its way through the forest. 63 fibre glass dinosaurs created by sculptor James Q. Sidwell greeted guests. A walking tour took explorers closer to the dinosaurs and educated them on diet and habitat. There was the Jungle Rapids Water Slide which was over 400 ft (122 metres) high. There was a maze, interactive digging pits and an active man-made volcano. There was a train ride through The Land of The Leprechaun which attempted to exploit the areas connection to Ireland.

The number of visitors to the park began to decline in the 1980s as Irish Hills fell out of popularity and tourist traffic along US Route 12 declined. New destination theme parks such as Walt Disney World and Six Flags attracted guests away from the smaller amusement parks. Prehistoric Forest managed to continue on for a number of years before eventually closing in 1999.

The dinosaurs were made of fibre glass which made them resilient to the elements but not so much the vandals who came later.

The fibre glass figures were subjected to acts of vandalism even before the amusement park closed. In 1985, three figures were stolen and found at a nearby high school. Cameras were installed following another similar incident in which a neanderthal man was placed on the roof of another school. An incident in 2012 saw extensive damage caused by a number of students who had trespassed on the property. They were identified and charged.

Ffvi Dinosaur Forest

This picture was taken while the park was still open.

Some of the features of the park were sold over the years but between the vandalism and the effects of nature, it has begun to fall into disrepair. It has been for sale for a number of years with no real interest to date.

Dinosaur Forest Oregon

Irish Hills is now home to Michigan International Speedway.

Ironically, Irish Hills now sees about 300,000 fans a year for NASCAR races at Michigan International Speedway.

Location: Irish Hills, Michigan, USA

Dinosaur Forest Ff6

Abandoned: 1999