Around 30 miles south of Newcastle, Wyoming there’s an unassuming little ranch that has become a major draw for paleontologists and amateur dinosaur hunters alike.
At first glance, the area looks just like any other spot on the high plains of the Cowboy State but, until about 20 years ago, it was hiding a secret millions of years old. In 1998, the ground started giving up its hidden treasures, giving Wyoming and the world some of the most legendary finds from the Cretaceous era to be unearthed anywhere. What’s more, scientists and civilians are still finding prehistoric artifacts at the ranch – now a park – every day.
Paleo Park used to be a family ranch - that is until Leonard Zerbst discovered that he was ranching on a dinosaur graveyard.
The park's Facebook page shows a map with a location at the edge of Newcastle, but you actually have to travel almost 30 miles off the highway to get to Paleo Park.
It's recommended that you call before making the trip to visit the park. All guests must be accompanied by a guide, so it's best to find out ahead of time when someone will be available to take you on a tour.
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Once there, you'll be treated to some amazing sights, such as fossils, bones, and dinosaur tracks.
Not only was it surprisingly complete, but paleontologists were able to recover perfect, detailed skin impressions, something that had never been found before.
Bronze and plaster casts of the impressions are on display at Paleo Park, along with a number of remarkable discoveries that have been found at the park over the years.
Another find that rocked the world of dinosaur hunters was a mummified skull of a duckbill dinosaur.
Because fossils and bones are so plentiful and right out in the open, you're guaranteed to find a fossil of some type such as bones, teeth, and even scales. The management reserves the right to keep guest finds. Though they get first dibs, they do allow everyone to take a few fossils home as a memento of their visit.
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It may be way out in the boonies, but a visit to Paleo Park is sure to be an adventure you'll never forget.
