Gettysburg Dinosaur Tracks

About Gettysburg Dinosaur Tracks

Long before the Civil War made Gettysburg famous, dinosaurs walked this land. The Gettysburg Dinosaur Tracks preserve genuine footprints left in Triassic mudstone over 200 million years ago, offering visitors a connection to Pennsylvania's prehistoric past that predates human history by an unimaginable span.

The tracks were created by small, three-toed dinosaurs that walked across mud flats during the Triassic period. As the mud hardened into stone, these footprints became permanent records of ancient life. The preservation quality varies, but several clear tracks remain visible in the exposed bedrock.

Scientists believe the tracks were made by early theropod dinosaurs, the two-legged ancestors of birds and relatives of the famous T-Rex that would appear millions of years later. The three-toed pattern is distinctive and immediately recognizable once you know what to look for.

The site provides a dramatic contrast to Gettysburg's Civil War focus - a reminder that this land holds stories far older than human history. For children especially, seeing real dinosaur footprints creates memorable connections to science and natural history.

Visiting the tracks requires some advance planning, as they're located on private property with limited access. Check current availability before your visit. For Pine Ridge campers with curious kids (or adults fascinated by prehistoric life), this unique site offers something you won't find anywhere else in the region.

What to Expect

• Genuine Footprints: These are real dinosaur tracks preserved in Triassic mudstone, not replicas. The three-toed prints show clearly in the rock surface.
• 200 Million Years Old: Created during the Triassic period when early dinosaurs roamed what would become Pennsylvania, these tracks predate human existence by vast spans of time.
• Theropod Origins: Scientists believe the tracks were made by small theropod dinosaurs - early relatives of the great meat-eaters that would dominate later eras.
• Unexpected Discovery: Finding dinosaur tracks in Civil War country surprises most visitors, providing perspective on the deep time recorded in local geology.