Dinosaur State Park Picnic Shelter

Closed — Open year-round for picnic shelter reservations Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays and on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Reservations required at least 7 days in advance.

About

Dinosaur State Park Picnic Shelter provides a reservable pavilion facility within the renowned Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. The park protects one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America, with over 2,000 early Jurassic footprints discovered here, 500 of which are preserved and displayed inside a geodesic dome museum. The picnic shelter accommodates up to 60 people and is available for reservation year-round, requiring booking at least 7 days in advance through the Connecticut state parks reservation system. The park offers 2.5 miles of hiking trails through varied terrain, display gardens, and an arboretum for visitors to explore. The exhibit center features life-size dioramas, interactive displays, a bookshop, auditorium with dinosaur films, and educational programs. A unique track casting area operates seasonally from May 1 through October 31, where visitors can make plaster casts of actual dinosaur footprints by bringing their own materials. The park is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with trails and bookshop closing at 4:00 p.m. The exhibit center is closed every Monday, and the park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. Note that the pavilion rental does not include museum admission, which is charged separately. The park prohibits amplified music, bounce houses, and other play equipment at the picnic shelter. During peak weekend periods, the park may reach capacity and close gates to additional vehicles, so early arrival is recommended even with a picnic shelter reservation.

Directions

Located one mile east of I-91 Exit 23 on West Street in Rocky Hill. From New Haven, turn right off the exit; from Hartford, turn left off the exit. Park entrance is on the right, one mile from the interstate.

Nearby Campgrounds