News Release

Celebrate Dinosaur Day Wednesday June 6 at Petrified Forest National Park

Date: May 30, 2018
Contact: Adam Marsh, 928-524-6228 x263

Petrified Forest, AZ—Thirty three years ago, paleontologist Bryan Small discovered remains of a brand new dinosaur at Petrified Forest National Park. Chindesaurus bryansmalli was a small carnivore, billed at the time as the oldest dinosaur ever found on the planet. Word of this discovery made international news. When "Gertie" (the nickname the fossil became known as) was airlifted out of the park's wilderness on June 6, 1985 it was an international media event.

Help us celebrate the 33^nd anniversary of Gertie’s flight by watching films, enjoying a variety of hands-on activities to include handling real fossils, hiking, and roving to understand and appreciate late Triassic era fossils found in the rock formations of Petrified Forest National Park.
When: Wednesday June 6, 2018 from 10am–12pm and 1pm–4pm
Where: Community Building adjacent to Painted Desert Visitor Center (exit 311 off of I-40), with guided hikes and roving paleontologists elsewhere in the park (see schedule below).
10am & 1pm  Film: Whopping Small Dinosaur
10:30am–11:30am & 1:30pm–3pm             Table activities (family-friendly, hands-on activities)
11:30am                              Film: Dinosaurs Alive
1pm & 3pm  Guided hikes to Dinosaur Hollow (Hike is 4 miles round trip and is a rugged off-trail experience. Be prepared with adequate food, water, clothing, footwear, hat, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants. Call 928-524-6228 x276 to register and for further information.)

2pm–4pm                            Roving paleontologist on the Giant Logs Trail
3pm–4pm                            Roving paleontologist on the Crystal Forest Trail

Activities at the Community Building do not require an entry fee, but guided hikes and roving paleontologists do. The park’s standard entry fee is $20 per vehicle and this allows unlimited entry into the park for 7 days. Use the hashtag #DinosaurDay2018 and check in with social media; thanks and hope to see you there!