The Riker Hill Fossil Site in Roseland, Essex County, New Jersey, is a 16-acre former quarry famous for some of the smallest dinosaur tracks ever found. Acquired by Essex County in 1970 and recognized as a National Natural Landmark, the dinosaur site itself is not open for casual drop-in visits — Essex County offers guided family field trips to see the three-toed Grallator tracks instead.
Best season — Spring through fall (visits are by scheduled Essex County field trip)
At a glance
The facts worth checking before you roll out
Conservative, source-minded facts for planning your visit — always worth confirming against current conditions before you travel.
State
New Jersey (Essex County)
Town
Roseland
Designation
National Natural Landmark
Tracks
Three-toed Grallator, late Triassic
Managed by
Essex County Parks
On the ground
Riker Hill began as a stone quarry where dinosaur tracks came to light in 1968. The most fossil-rich portion was preserved and became part of the Essex County park system, and Essex County notes the 16-acre Dinosaur Park is known statewide as the site of some of the smallest dinosaur tracks ever found.
Essex County is clear that this Dinosaur Park is not open to the public for casual visits. Instead, the county runs guided Family Dinosaur Discovery field trips — a roughly one-mile hike to the National Natural Landmark to see three-toed Grallator tracks from the late Triassic age, geared toward families with children.
Because access is by arranged tour only, contact Essex County Parks through the official page for current field-trip dates and reservations before planning an RV trip to the area.
Official sources
- Essex County Parks — Riker Hill Complex Government source
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