Inside, an immense dinosaur skeleton greets you as you buy your ticket. It is flanked by displays of early man in the Uinta Basin. Halls of Geology and Natural Sciences present fossils of beasts from ancient times as well as mounted specimens of the area's present day wildlife. A paleo lab and mineral room complete the indoor displays.

The best part of this museum, however, is not within its walls. You must step outside to view the Dinosaur Garden. Here are 18 life size sculptures of prehistoric creatures in natural settings. Each has been painstakingly created from actual skeletons. (A photographic exhibit tells the story.) Here you can get a close look at the familiar Wooly Mammoth, Tyrannosaurus Rex and Stegosaurus. Pteranodons (flying reptiles) and Meganeuras (large dragonflies) are depicted in flight. A new addition is a model of a Utahraptor. This recently discovered early resident of Utah resembles the raptors from Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park.

All in all, this museum is a great introduction to the area's history, prehistory and geology. Give yourself at least an hour to tour this museum and its grounds.

Before leaving, pay a visit to the Visitor's Information Center. Here a helpful and enthusiastic woman gave us literature on local parks and scenic spots. (There is more to see and do here than you think!) She also gave us one of our best souvenirs - a Dinosaur Hunting License #I81-U022 signed by Al O'Saurus, Deputy Lizard Warden!