Love Dinosaurs? You Need to Visit This Awesome Montana Attraction

Montana is full of interesting attractions that you may not know about. The state is also full of incredible prehistoric discoveries including dinosaurs. Several fossils have been unearthed throughout the state in recent years.

HOW MANY DINOSAUR FOSSILS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN MONTANA?

According to the Montana Department of Transportation, Montana is considered "Dinosaur Country." Paleontologists have discovered over 75 different species of dinosaurs, which is more than any other state in America.

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The oldest dinosaur fossils are found in rocks of the Jurassic Period, which are 155 million years old. They include the gigantic Diplodocus, the plated Stegosaurus, and the fearsome Allosaurus.

Several dinosaur fossils have been found in eastern Montana. A rare Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton known as the “Wankel T. rex” was found in 1988 by Kathy Wankel, a rancher from Angela, Montana. The fossil is currently on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The first Tyrannosaurus rex fossil was found by paleontologists in 1903.

WHERE DID DINOSAURS ROAM IN MONTANA?

About 65 million years ago, the Western Interior Seaway receded as the Rocky Mountains rose, pushing the shoreline farther east. Great rivers meandered through the coastal plain in a warm and humid climate, depositing sediment which would later become known as the Hell Creek Formation. Dinosaur fossils are frequently found in the Hell Creek Formation.

The Montana Dinosaur Trail is a great way to learn about all of the different types of dinosaurs that once roamed across Montana. Along the trail, you'll visit 14 different locations throughout the state.

WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO LEARN ABOUT DINOSAURS IN MONTANA?

The Museum of the Rockies is a World-class museum in Bozeman, Montana. It's one of the largest natural history museums in the country. You can view paleontological collections, and learn about scientific research and education. If you're planning a trip to Montana, a visit to the Museum of the Rockies is an absolute must.