Where the Wild Beasts Roamed Missouri River Countrys Premiere Dinosaur Exhibits Now Open for Summer

Millions of years ago, dinosaurs roamed the earth and called the lush wetlands of Eastern Montana home. Now everyone can follow their footprints in Montana's Missouri River County. The area is rich in dinosaur history and has a wealth of bones left behind by the giant reptiles. June is the perfect time to visit this must-see area for anyone with an interest in paleontology and all things dinosaur.

The Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station in Malta is celebrating its grand opening on June 6th. The museum will offer free admission on opening day for the public. Guests will get an intimate look into a working fossil laboratory. Sneak a peek at remarkably preserved members of the Brachylophosaurus family, including Roberta who has amazingly preserved tendons and Peanut, an infant Brachylophosaurus. There are also a number of other Montana specimens under preparation. The new center will also offer a number of unique dinosaur displays to awe and inspire based on significant discoveries from the area. Leonardo, the mummy dinosaur was discovered a short distance from the museum. This world-class fossil gives scientists new insights to the appearance, diet and habitat of dinosaurs through the preservation of skin, soft tissue structures and stomach contents.

While in Malta, it's just a short trip to the Phillips County Museum. Visitors to the museum are greeted by the 33 foot long skeleton of "Elvis" the Brachylophosaurus, one of the most complete dinosaur skeletons ever found. They'll also view a complete Tyrannosaurs Rex skull and will stand in awe by a 28 foot skeleton of an Albertosaurus, T-Rex's cousin. There are many more Missouri River Country area fossils on display that date back to the late cretaceous period, around 77 million years ago. Visitors can immortalize their experience by getting their picture taken with a 700-pound Apatosaur's femur or picking-up a unique memento in the gift shop!

A truly unique treasure found in the heart of Missouri River Country is the Fort Peck Interpretive Center. This all encompassing center features the skeleton and a three dimensional, fleshed-out replica of Peck's Rex, a Tyrannosaurs Rex found in the area in 1997. Other exhibits include wildlife found in the nearby C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, the construction and history of Fort Peck Dam and the resulting boomtowns and homesteads. The center also showcases the largest aquariums in Montana that display native and game fish found in the adjacent Fort Peck Lake and Missouri River. There are a number of children's programs and activities on weekends; a complete list of activities and dates can be found by visiting the following website: http://www.nwo.usace.army.mil/html/_Lake_Proj/fortpeck/2007summer.pdf. The Fort Peck Interpretive Center also has a network of over 3 miles of paved nature trails that wind along the Missouri River and surrounding wooded area to allow visitors to check out the environment where the dinosaurs used to roam. Other area amenities include 3 fishing ponds, playground equipment, horseshoe pits, volleyball court, basketball court and picnic tables with wind-shelters. The center is open now through September 30th, from 9 am to 5 pm everyday, and admission is free.

While in Missouri River Country take a short trip to the Garfield County Museum for a chance to see another well-known dinosaur species' fossil. This museum is home to a full scale model of a triceratops. The triceratops fossil was found about 35 miles from Jordan in 1964. There are also other exhibits from the area that will give visitors a true feel for the area and its rich history.

The PaleoWorld Research Center offers kids, families, teachers, students and everybody a chance to discover a dinosaur. The Center gives visitor a chance to get their hands dirty and find real fossils. As an "associate researcher," you can dig for a day or stay for the summer. The digs are offered June through August and are open to all ages and backgrounds. For more information on how to join in on the fun, please visit www.paleoworld.org.

Missouri Country offers an exciting dinosaur experience for all ages! Summer 2008 is the perfect time to visit this dynamic area. For more information on Montana's Missouri River Country and the exciting dinosaur experiences that await you, please visit www.missouririver.visitmt.com.

Where the Wild Beasts Roamed Missouri River Countrys Premiere Dinosaur Exhibits Now Open for Summer

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Where the Wild Beasts Roamed Missouri River Countrys Premiere Dinosaur Exhibits Now Open for Summer

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