100 Million Years of Camping? Fossils Found at Cherry Hill Park

“Dating back to the Mesozoic Era, these remains include theropods, like Pichatentasaurus hammox, hadrosaurs, like Motorhomidon Orcabin, and mosasaurs, including Smorasaurus grahamodon.” Dr. Baygoh explained. “It’s interesting that they were found at a modern-day campground, as we believe the dinosaurs were in the midst of a seasonal migration. It seems that despite the harshness of the Mesozoic Era, camping finds a way.”

Limited evidence creates ambiguity, but the researchers are skilled at reading these ancient clues. “There’s evidence of fire near these ancient beasts: so either they were relaxing around a campfire, or perished in some sort of large forest fire,” said Dr. Aaron Stream, one of the paleontologists. “Several fossils were found at the bottom of a flooded basin; perhaps an ancient swimming pool. And some remains had been torn apart by large teeth, suggesting there may have been a cafe on-site.”

We are taking advantage of every opportunity to involve our guests in this historic moment. For the remainder of the dig, our pools will be converted to holding tanks for bones and soil. The splash park will be used to clean off fossils, and our tractor will transport piles of dirt right alongside any campers along for the ride!

We’ve let the research team know they can hang out and relax at any site they choose during their breaks - so you might be treated to an impromptu lecture from a scientist during your stay! The team reassures us that while they will occasionally have to run backhoes late into the night, they’re happy to wait until 5:30am before getting started each morning. The digging may even cross into active campsites!