Dinosaur Park Public Programs

Dinosaur Park is open to the public on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Our 2023 open house dates are scheduled as follows:

• January 7th and 21st (12 pm to 4 pm)
• February 4th and 18th (12 pm to 4 pm)
• March 4th and 18th (12 pm to 4 pm)
• April 1st and April 15th (12 pm to 4 pm)
• May 6th and May 20th (12 pm to 4 pm)
• June 3rd and June 17th (10 am to 2 pm)
• July 1st and July 15th (10 am to 2 pm)
• August 5th and August 19th (10 am to 2 pm)
• September 2nd and September 16th (10 am to 2 pm)
• October 7th and October 21st (12 pm to 4 pm)
• November 4th and November 18th (12 pm to 4 pm)
• December 2nd and December 16th (12 pm to 4 pm)

  
  

What to Expect

• The fenced fossil site is only accessible during public or private educational programs to preserve the resources.
• Personal fossil collecting is not permitted at the park.
• Dinosaur Park is entirely outdoors, and the fossil site can get dusty or muddy. Please dress appropriately with closed-toed shoes and dress for the weather.
• Restrooms are available during scheduled programs. A water fountain is available seasonally. Picnic tables are available year-round.
• Pre-registration is not required for FREE Saturday public programs. Visitors sign in upon arrival.
• During public programs, you will see displays of real fossils discovered at the park and learn about the ancient environment that once existed here.
• Weather permitting, staff will direct visitors to designated areas to search for Early Cretaceous fossils.
• Digging is prohibited by visitors. Instead, you will learn surface collection techniques used by paleontologists in the field.
• Your fossil discoveries help park paleontologists better understand the ancient world of Prince George’s County. All fossils are stored and preserved in our Dinosaur Park lab.
• If you find a significant fossil, your name is recorded with it! You will be forever immortalized in our museum collection.

Location and Directions

Dinosaur Park is located off Contee Road in Laurel, at the end of Mid Atlantic Boulevard.

From the D.C. area, take the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (Route 295) to Route 197 (Laurel-Bowie Road). Turn West on Route 197. Turn left onto Contee Road. Turn left onto Mid-Atlantic Boulevard and proceed straight. Dinosaur Park is at the end of the road.

From Route 29, turn East onto Route 198. Cross I-95 and turn right onto Baltimore Ave/Route 1 South. Turn left onto Contee Road. Take the second right onto Mid Atlantic Boulevard and proceed straight. Dinosaur Park is at the end of the road.

Parking Information

Parking is permitted in the small Dinosaur Park lot and along Mid-Atlantic Boulevard. Parking in the business lots and side road next to Dinosaur Park is prohibited and vehicles will be towed at the driver's expense.