You’re driving through the Painted Desert, probably on your way to the Grand Canyon or maybe Page, and honestly, the landscape starts to look like a blurry mix of red rock and sagebrush. Then you see the signs. Hand-painted, wooden, slightly weathered signs for "Dinosaur Tracks." It looks like a tourist trap. You might even think about skipping it because, let’s be real, roadside attractions can be a gamble. But Moenkopi and the Tuba City dinosaur tracks are different. This isn't a museum with velvet ropes or a gift shop selling plastic trilobites. It’s just... there. It's raw.
These tracks aren't just little bird prints, either. We’re talking about massive, deep indentations left in the Jurassic-era mud about 200 million years ago. Back then, this part of Arizona wasn't a desert. It was a lush, swampy shoreline. The Dilophosaurus walked here. If that name sounds familiar, it's because Steven Spielberg made them famous in Jurassic Park, though he took some liberties with the whole "spitting venom" thing. The real ones were bigger, meaner, and left their permanent mark in the Kayenta Formation.
What You’re Actually Looking At
When you pull off Highway 160, you’re on Navajo Nation land. This is important. You don’t just wander off into the rocks alone—not because it's dangerous, but because you’ll miss everything. Local Navajo guides usually wait near the entrance. They don't charge an official admission fee, but they work for tips. It’s the best five or ten bucks you’ll spend on your road trip.
The guides point out things your untrained eyes would walk right over. See that lump? That’s fossilized dinosaur dung—coprolite. That weird texture in the rock? Those are ripple marks from a prehistoric lakebed.
The sheer density of the Tuba City dinosaur tracks is what catches people off guard. It’s not just one or two prints. It’s a literal highway of movement. You can see the stride length. You can see where a smaller dinosaur was likely running and where a larger predator was prowling. It feels visceral. You’re standing exactly where a 20-foot-long carnivore stood.
The Dilophosaurus Misconception
Everyone thinks they know the Dilophosaurus. Thanks to Hollywood, we picture a dog-sized lizard with a colorful frill that spits goo. In reality, the Dilophosaurus wetherilli—which is what left many of the tracks around Tuba City—was one of the largest land predators of its time. It could reach 20 feet in length. It had two distinct crests on its head, which you can actually see represented in some of the fossilized remains found in the region.
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Scientists like Dr. Sarah Werning and others who have studied the Kayenta Formation emphasize that these creatures were the apex predators of the Early Jurassic. They weren't small. They were the kings of the swamp. Seeing their three-toed footprints, some over a foot long, puts that scale into perspective in a way a textbook never could.
Why It’s Not Your Typical Tourist Spot
Most people expect a paved parking lot and a visitor center with AC. Forget that. This is the Navajo Nation. The site is open-air, dusty, and exposed to the elements. There is a specific kind of magic in seeing fossils in situ—meaning exactly where they were found—rather than behind glass.
- The Vibe: It’s quiet. You can hear the wind.
- The Interaction: You’re talking to people whose families have lived on this land for generations.
- The Price: It’s basically pay-what-you-can, though being generous is the right move here.
It’s also worth mentioning that the site isn't just about the "big" names. While everyone wants to see the Dilophosaurus tracks, there are dozens of smaller tracks from Coelophysis-type dinosaurs. These were smaller, sleeker, and incredibly fast. The site captures a whole ecosystem, from the giants to the scavengers, all frozen in a moment of time when the world was much wetter and much weirder.
The Geology of the Kayenta Formation
The reason these tracks exist at all is a fluke of geology. The Kayenta Formation is a layer of siltstone and sandstone that was deposited by rivers and floodplains. To get a track to fossilize, the conditions have to be "Goldilocks" perfect. The mud has to be the right consistency—too wet and the print collapses; too dry and it doesn't form. Then, it has to be buried quickly by a different type of sediment before the wind or water can wash it away.
Over millions of years, that mud turned to stone. Then, through the massive uplifting of the Colorado Plateau and subsequent erosion, the top layers were stripped away, revealing the tracks again. It’s a 200-million-year-old sandwich that just happened to get unwrapped in our lifetime.
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Navigating the Visit
Don't just plug "dinosaur" into your GPS and hope for the best. The site is about 5 miles west of Tuba City on the north side of Highway 160. Look for the "Moenkopi Dinosaur Tracks" signs.
If you go in the summer, get there early. The Arizona sun is brutal and there is zero shade on the flats. Bring water. Seriously. Even a 20-minute walk around the tracks will bake you.
Also, keep an eye out for the "petrified wood" scattered around. It’s tempting to pick up a piece, but don't. It’s illegal to remove anything from the site. Plus, the guides will rightfully call you out on it. The beauty of the Tuba City dinosaur tracks is that they remain for the next person to find.
The Ethical Side of Roadside Paleontology
There’s a bit of a debate in the scientific community about sites like this. Some paleontologists worry that because the site isn't "protected" by a federal museum structure, the tracks are at risk of erosion or vandalism. It’s a valid concern. However, there’s another side to it. By having the Navajo community manage the site, it provides local jobs and keeps the history of the land in the hands of the people who live there.
When you visit, you’re participating in a form of community-led conservation. Your tips help families stay on their land. In exchange, they share a piece of Earth’s history that is arguably more impressive than anything you’d see in a big city museum.
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Beyond the Tracks: Exploring Tuba City
If you’re already there, don't just hit the tracks and bolt. Tuba City itself has some heavy history. The Explore Navajo Interactive Museum is right in town and it’s genuinely well-done. It shares the story of the Navajo Code Talkers and the complex history of the Diné people.
You’re also near Coal Mine Canyon. It’s one of those spots that hasn't been "Instagrammed" to death yet, mostly because it’s a bit off the beaten path and requires a permit. The colors there make the Grand Canyon look monochromatic.
Actionable Insights for Your Trip
- Cash is King: The guides don't take Venmo. Bring five-dollar and ten-dollar bills. A twenty is even better if you have a group.
- Timing: Mid-morning or late afternoon provides better shadows. If the sun is directly overhead, the tracks can look "flat" and are harder to photograph.
- Footwear: Wear shoes with actual grip. The rock surface is uneven and can be slippery if there's any sand on it.
- Respect the Land: You are on sovereign Navajo land. Follow the lead of your guide and stay within the established areas.
- Photography: Get low. To capture the depth of the tracks, put your camera or phone near ground level. It highlights the ridges of the "mud" that squished up between the dinosaur's toes millions of years ago.
The Tuba City dinosaur tracks offer a rare chance to touch the past without a barrier. It’s dusty, it’s hot, and it’s completely unpretentious. It reminds you that humans are just a tiny blip on the timeline. If you’re driving through Northern Arizona, give yourself the hour. It’s worth every second.
To make the most of your visit, plan to arrive before 10:00 AM to beat the heat and the midday glare. Park in the designated dirt lot off Highway 160 and wait for a guide to approach you; they are locals who know the specific locations of the most impressive tracks, including the rare "egg" fossils and the clear Dilophosaurus paths. Ensure you have at least $10-$20 in cash for a tip, as this supports the local Moenkopi community. After viewing the tracks, head five minutes east into Tuba City to the Tuba City Trading Post, built in 1870, to see authentic Navajo rugs and jewelry before continuing your drive.