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All the United States Oregon Port Orford Prehistoric Gardens

Prehistoric Gardens

A collection of colorful dinosaurs hidden in an actual rainforest.

Port Orford, Oregon

Added By
Sam
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The tyrannosaurus rex greets visitors.   Jami Dwyer on Flickr
Another of the friendly dinosaurs.   Raellyn & Melissa on Flickr
Ernest Nelson constructing a dinosaur.   Prehistoricgardens.com
You know it is legit if it has a pennant   heyyouoverthere / Atlas Obscura User
Happiest. Dino. Ever.   Minisaurus / Atlas Obscura User
  rebeccaelinor / Atlas Obscura User
  rebeccaelinor / Atlas Obscura User
  rebeccaelinor / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance   FraeuleinS / Atlas Obscura User
Rawr! 🦕   sweetsurfgypsy / Atlas Obscura User
Definitely check this place out if you’re in the neighborhood!!!!   sweetsurfgypsy / Atlas Obscura User
Beware!   heyyouoverthere / Atlas Obscura User
This was a nice touch   heyyouoverthere / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Oregon's Prehistoric Gardens is a classic roadside attraction featuring life-sized sculptures of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals in a variety of psychedelic hues.

This collection of concrete monsters was began in 1953 when the attraction's late creator Ernest Nelson began sculpting size-accurate dinosaurs on his property, and then finally opened to the public as the Prehistoric Gardens in 1955. Nelson traveled to the Smithsonian in NYC and researched fossils to ensure the life-size replicas were as scientifically correct as possible. He would go on to construct 23 dinosaurs in total over the next 30 years. The largest sculpture in the park is the Brachiosaurus, which is an astounding 86 feet long and 46 feet tall! Once known for their bright, playful coloration, the dinosaur sculptures are now a bit faded and weathered, but still exciting for antediluvian enthusiasts nonetheless.

The replicas are scattered along a trail through the surrounding coastal rainforest which convincingly mimics a primordial landscape with its giant ferns and constant damp humidity. 

The Prehistoric Garden is a terrific relic of times gone by, both ancient and modern.

Related Tags

Collections Statues Dinosaurs Dinosaur Parks Animals

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Right off of the 101 highway between Port Orford and Gold Beach. You can't miss it!

Community Contributors

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SamM

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Molly McBride Jacobson, EricGrundhauser, FraeuleinS, Minisaurus...

  • Molly McBride Jacobson
  • EricGrundhauser
  • FraeuleinS
  • Minisaurus
  • sweetsurfgypsy
  • rebeccaelinor
  • heyyouoverthere
  • RemillardJourneys

Published

August 15, 2013

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  • http://www.prehistoricgardens.com/history/
Prehistoric Gardens
36848 Highway 101
Port Orford, Oregon, 97465
United States
42.611826, -124.392239
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Wreck of the Mary D. Hume

Gold Beach, Oregon

miles away

Face Rock

Bandon, Oregon

miles away

Nobuo Fujita's Sword

Brookings, Oregon

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Oregon

Oregon

United States

Places 208
Stories 31

Nearby Places

The Wreck of the Mary D. Hume

Gold Beach, Oregon

miles away

Face Rock

Bandon, Oregon

miles away

Nobuo Fujita's Sword

Brookings, Oregon

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Oregon

Oregon

United States

Places 208
Stories 31

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