Dinosaur display at the Heritage Center

8 Stops on North Dakota Dinosaur Tour

Fossils and dinosaurs aplenty. It's said North Dakota once was a tropical paradise complete with giant lakes and the giant fish that used to swim in them. There is proof that other giants used to roam North Dakota in prehistoric times and they are being uncovered all the time. Dinosaurs literally left their footprints all over this state and their skeletons now figure prominently in many museums. Discover North Dakota's prehistoric past with these fun fossil sites, and dinosaur attractions. 

Click here for information on fossil digs in North Dakota

Click here for a printable itinerary

ND Heritage center dinosaurs
North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum

Fossil exhibits here trace the history of life in North Dakota from about 90 million years ago to present day. View the Corridor of Time and learn about North Dakota’s prehistoric background through exhibits like Dakota the Dino-Mummy, the Mosasaur, a Paleocene Era Pond Exhibit, Mastodon and Bison latifrons skull, and samplings of fossils from all the various rock formations seen across the state.

Dakota Dino
Dickinson Museum Center

North Dakota’s dino gem houses full-scale dinosaurs, including a real skeleton of a Triceratops, and several other dinosaur bones and skeletons. View a complete Triceratops skull in the museum’s model lab and rare minerals and rocks from around the world.

Gundy the Triceratops
Barnes County Historical Society and Museum

Barnes County Historical Society Museum is an 18,000-square-foot facility dedicated to telling the history of Barnes County and is the home of "Gundy the Triceratops." Gundy is from the Cretaceous Period dated to 65 million years old. There are many fossils from the North Dakota Geological Survey on display as well.

Petrified tree
Long X Trading Post Visitor Center

While excavating a prehistoric crocodile (champsosaurus) remains, a huge, beautifully preserved petrified tree stump at Long X Visitor Center was discovered still in growth position, nine feet in diameter and eight feet tall – the largest petrified tree stump ever seen in North Dakota. Please note this museum has fossils mainly of Paleocene age (post-dinosaur), but no dinosaurs.

Pioneer Trails Regional Museum
Pioneer Trails Regional Museum

This regional research and repository for history from within 100 miles of Bowman is active in archaeological and paleontological research and houses preservation collections relating to North Dakota history. Their are dinosaurs on exhibit and local fossil tours. The museum also showcases local artists and traveling displays, and don't forget to stop at the gift store.

Photo of Pembina Museum
Pembina State Museum

The Pembina State Museum includes a large Western Interior Seaway mural, as well as local marine fossils, including Mosasaurs, fish, squid, and more. Find that unique gift while exploring their gift shop, then make a stop on their seven-story observation tower that touts amazing views of the Red River Valley. Please note this museum does not have dinosaurs.

fossils spheres
Paul Broste Rock Museum

One of North Dakota’s most unique and interesting museums is named for a farmer who had an inordinate fondness for rocks, minerals and fossils. Broste amassed a huge collection over many years and built a museum out of field stone to house his collection. Please note this museum has fossils, but no dinosaurs, and please call ahead at 701-862-3264 to verify availability.

Three Affiliated Tribes Museum
Three Affiliated Tribes Museum

See the cast of the skull of the giant bison, Bison latifrons, at this heritage center built to preserve history and culture of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara people. The original skull was found along the shore of Lake Sakakawea near New Town. Please note this museum does not have dinosaurs.