Dino Walk
Thank you to everyone who made DinoWalk a success in 2024!
Please check back after the new year for information on DinoWalk 2025.
Each year the Museum partners with the local Luck Stone Quarry to provide a public access day to view Culpeper’s famous dinosaur footprints! More than 215 million years ago, during the Triassic Period, giant beasts roamed the region that we call home today. Then, in 1989, evidence of their existence was discovered at the bottom of the quarry. Discover the largest quantity of dinosaur footprints discovered in North America on this special day.
Vehicle passes are available for hourly timed tours. Each pass provides entry to one vehicle and its occupants. Due to limited space in the parking area, vehicles must be no larger than a 15 passenger van. Each pass will also provide family admission to the Museum of Culpeper History in downtown Culpeper for FREE.
PLEASE NOTE: The Museum of Culpeper History offers the DinoWalk program once per year. The museum is unable to organize group tours outside of the listed program dates.
EVENT & SAFETY INFORMATION
Please arrive at Luck Stone Quarry 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time for check-in and to line your vehicle up for the escorted caravan to the dinosaur track site at the base of the quarry. After parking your vehicle, you are free to explore the dinosaur tracks and participate in the activities until signaled to leave.
All members of your party must arrive in a single vehicle for check-in. Please gather your group in your vehicle before driving to the quarry. Please do not plan to meet individuals who may be joining your party at the quarry entrance; parking is not available at the quarry entrance for attendees to park and transfer to another vehicle for the caravan to the quarry base.
The parking area at the base of the quarry is located approximately 100 yards from the dinosaur tracks. The gravel path is on a moderate slope, and the ground surface on both the path and the dinosaur track site is uneven. Please wear appropriate footwear.
THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE. In the event of severe weather, the museum will make the sole decision to cancel the event in consultation with the quarry.
For your safety, all attendees must follow the Luck Stone Quarry safety requirements. This is an active quarry site!
Obey all posted signage.
Do not stop or exit your vehicle during the caravan to and from the base of the quarry.
Do not climb on the rock berms.
Do not approach or climb the rock walls.
Do not throw rocks, debris, or trash into the water.
Swimming, wading, or playing at the water’s edge is prohibited due to rocks and dangerous drop-offs.
Please, NO PETS!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions.
What is DinoWalk?
DinoWalk is an event put on by the Museum of Culpeper History in collaboration with Luck Stone Quarry to grant visitors access to one of the largest collections of dinosaur tracks in North America. The tracks were discovered at the quarry in 1989.
When is DinoWalk?
The 2024 DinoWalk program will take place on Saturday, August 24.
Where is DinoWalk?
DinoWalk takes place at the Luck Stone Quarry located at 18244 Germanna Highway just outside Culpeper.
How do I get passes?
eDinoWalk passes are issued through an online lottery system. The lottery opens July 21 and closes on July 27. There are NO in-person ticket sales or advance reservations. Lottery winners will be sent an email notification to purchase vehicle passes. A vehicle pass must be purchased to attend the event.
Why are passes limited for each tour time and for the event?
The parking area by the dinosaur tracks can only accommodate a limited number of vehicles. The number of passes per tour time are limited to the number parking spaces available. Typically there are 35 to 45 parking spaces available; this number changes each year based on quarry operations.
What does my pass get me?
A DinoWalk pass gets 1 vehicle (15 passenger van size or smaller) and its occupants a 1 hour timed entry down into the quarry to see the tracks, as well as free admission to the museum that same day. After granting time for travel to the parking area and back, visitors will have approximately 30 minutes to explore the dinosaur tracks and enjoy other on-site activities.
How long will I be able to see the dinosaur tracks?
Visitors will have approximately 30 minutes to view the tracks and enjoy on-site activities during their tour time.
Is DinoWalk handicapped accessible?
There is about a 100-yard walk from the parking area to the tracks. The packed gravel path is on a moderate slope, and the ground surface on both the path and the dinosaur track site is uneven. Past visitors have been able to navigate these areas with wheelchairs, crutches, and strollers.
Can I see the dinosaur tracks from my car?
No. You will be escorted down in to the quarry by a car caravan and park approximately 100 yards away from the track site. The tracks are not visible from your car or the parking area.
Will the event be held if it's raining?
THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE. In the event of severe weather, the museum will make the sole decision to cancel the event in consultation with the quarry. In the event of a cancellation, the DinoWalk will not be rescheduled.
Will you offer this event again this year?
The museum holds the DinoWalk program once per year.
I am unable to attend DinoWalk. May I visit the tracks at another time?
The dinosaur tracks are located on private property owned by the Luck Stone Quarry. Luck Stone generously allows the museum access to the dinosaur tracks once each year for the DinoWalk program. The museum is unable to take visitors to the tracks outside of the DinoWalk program.
I am an educator and would like to schedule a field trip for my class to visit the dinosaur tracks. How can I schedule a visit?
The dinosaur tracks are located on private property owned by the Luck Stone Quarry. You are welcome to reach out to them directly and try to schedule a visit.
I can no longer attend the tour time I selected. May I switch to a different time?
No. Due to limited parking at the track location, each tour time can only accommodate a limited number of vehicles. If you provide us with enough advance notice, you may be eligible for a refund.
I can no longer attend the event. May I give my pass to someone else?
Passes are nontransferrable. If you notify us far enough in advance, you may be eligible for a refund.
I received an email to select a tour time and purchase a pass, but the times I can attend are full. How can I attend the event?
Due to limited parking at the track location, each tour time can only accommodate a limited number of vehicles. If you are unable to attend any of the available times then you will not be able to attend the event this year.
How much is a vehicle pass?
Vehicle passes are $50. Only winners of the lottery will be eligible to purchase a pass.
Contact Us
Museum of Culpeper History
113 S. Commerce Street
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: (540) 829-1749
Hours
Monday-Sunday:
10am – 4pm
CLOSED: Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day
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