Roar, stomp, and chomp your way through summer — thanks to all the dinosaur-themed fun going on in San Antonio in 2024! Junior paleontologists of all ages will enjoy seeing new exhibitions, exploring prehistoric dinosaur worlds, and digging into all things dinosaur throughout the summer in San Antonio.
Although the Alamo City is home to year-round dinosaur fun (and we can recommend a few dino road trips as well), you shouldn’t miss these new opportunities to learn, explore, and have fun this summer.
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Dino Adventure Park
Get ready for an unforgettable Summer adventure at San Antonio Zoo’s Dino Adventure Park, Presented by Bank of Texas.
From May 25 to September 2, head to the San Antonio Zoo for the jaw-dropping Dino Adventure Park, where you’ll be transported back to the age of the dinosaurs! Embark on the prehistoric adventure of a lifetime as you encounter 18 larger-than-life dinosaurs. Little paleontologists will feel the incredible thrill of standing face-to-face with the mighty T-Rex, triceratops, velociraptors, and many more!
On July 6-7 and August 17-18, be sure to catch Dinosaur George and learn all about the larger-than-life creatures this exhibit brings to life. The Dino Adventure Park is included in your zoo membership or in the cost of a day ticket. Parking is always free at the zoo!
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The Witte Museum: Home of the Dinosaurs
This year, the Witte Museum is hosting two special exhibits on Sharks and Surviving Space. However, little dinosaur hunters could never be disappointed with the permanent galleries on offer. Enter The Naylor Family Dinosaur Gallery and explore the amazing animals of land, sea and sky during the Cretaceous Period, more than 110 million years ago, in what is now Texas.
Come face to face with the skeleton of the meat-eating Acrocanthosaurus! See the incredible fossil footprints under its feet, and learn how dinosaurs walked along the shoreline of the shallow seas that once covered San Antonio.
From there, move to the deep ocean to discover Tylosaurus, the meat-eating marine reptile, and Protostega, a mysterious sea turtle that swam swiftly through the seas, and then on to the coastal marshes, home to the enormous crocodile, Deinosuchus. Check out the land of giants, home to Tyrannosaurus rex, while gazing upwards with wonder as the impossibly large flying reptile, Quetzalcoatlus, soars overhead. Witte Museum members get to explore the dinosaur exhibit — and any other exhibit! — in the peace and quiet of the members-only hour, Sundays 11 a.m. — 12 p.m.
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Teenage T. Rex: Dinosaur George Museum
Tucked inside Trader’s Village, the Dinosaur George Museum is free for dino lovers to enjoy. Right now you can see the world’s only teenage T. Rex, “Tinker.” Tinker was discovered in 1998 from the Hell Creek Formation in northwestern South Dakota and is thought to be the first nearly complete juvenile/sub-adult T. rex ever found. Tinker is about two-thirds of adult-size, but only a fourth of adult weight. In “people years,” Tinker was probably a young teenager—about 13 years old—so imagine what it was like to get him to clean up his room!
The Dinosaur George Museum is free and open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends (when Trader’s Village is open, read more about their offerings here). You can also check out Dinosaur George’s podcast, which offers engaging listening for those summer road trips; or join his Patreon Club for live monthly lessons that are good for all ages. Educating and entertaining, these lessons are engaging and fun, and have a following of dinosaur fans around the globe.
Dinosaur Tracks at Government Canyon
The Government Canyon Natural Area is home to the only known dinosaur tracks on public land in South Texas. The 110-million-year-old tracks are believed to have been left by Acrocanthosaurus and Sauroposeidon dinosaurs, and are a must-see for young dinosaur-hunters!
Hike 2.5 miles up the Joe Johnston Route, just past marker #19 to get the best look at these prehistoric tracks. At five miles round-trip, this is definitely not an easy hike — so be sure to plan ahead. Bring plenty of water, snacks, wear sturdy shoes, and start early in the day (especially on warm days). The trail is pretty rugged and not stroller-friendly, so it’s a must-see for older dinosaur hunters who are ready for an adventure. Stop by the Visitor Center for more information, and check before you go — trials can close due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. Their instagram profile is the best place to see up-to-date information.
You’re sure to find some dinosaur fun in San Antonio this summer — get out there and make the most of it!
