Places near me Random place
All the United States Kansas Erie Dinosaur Park
AO Edited

Erie Dinosaur Park

A Jurassic artscape composed of transmission casings and other mechanical parts.

Erie, Kansas

backroadsphotog profile photo
Added By
Kevin Anderson
10-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
10-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
10   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
Big Long Necked Dinosaur.   backroadsphotog / Atlas Obscura User
South Overview.   backroadsphotog / Atlas Obscura User
North Overview.   backroadsphotog / Atlas Obscura User
10-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
10-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
10-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
10-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
10-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
10-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
10-15-23   Darrell Powers / Atlas Obscura User
Quite the bite.   backroadsphotog / Atlas Obscura User
Stegosaurus with thagomizer.   backroadsphotog / Atlas Obscura User
Park hours and appointment number.   backroadsphotog / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Whimsical dinosaurs made from car, truck, and farm machinery parts by Robert Dorris who was a nearby resident and a retired Air Force engineer. He once displayed the Jurassic creations at his residence which was known as The Not So National Dinosaur Park.

The park in Erie, Kansas, was created when his family donated the various sculptures after his death. There are about 17 of his dinosaur creations located around the park, complete with a meandering walkway to view them.

Spread throughout the bases are examples of rocks and various fossils to view. Figuring out what scrap pieces he used to create his larger-than-life art is a fun way to view the sculptures.

Places

Discover your next amazing Atlas Place.

Get more unusual and extraordinary places each week with the Atlas Obscura Places newsletter.

Your newsletter subscriptions with us are subject to Atlas Obscura's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Know Before You Go

The park is only open to the public on the second Saturday and third Sunday of the month from 1-4 pm. It can also be opened by appointment. The sculptures are still fully visible even when the park is not open.

Community Contributors

backroadsphotog profile photo

Added By

backroadsphotog

Darrell Powers profile photo

Edited By

Darrell Powers

Published

August 25, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos

Related Tags

Parks Dinosaurs Outsider Art

Nearby Places

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Kansas

Kansas

United States

Places 142
Stories 14

Related Stories and Lists

Related Places

  • The roadside sign announcing the park.

    Viñales, Cuba

    Parque Prehistórico

    Prehistoric history as seen through the lens of an outsider artist.

  • Two Spirits Carving

    Vancouver, British Columbia

    Two Spirits Carving

    A mysterious sculpture is hidden in Vancouver's Stanley Park.

  • Anchor Park

    Pointe-des-Cascades, Québec

    Parc des Ancres

    All the anchors found in this park were taken from the nearby river.

  • 'Highway of Dreams' 1932 Studebaker

    Holbrook, Arizona

    'Highway of Dreams' 1932 Studebaker

    This rusted car found in Petrified Forest National Park's Route 66 exhibit may be the most photographed abandoned car in the country.

  • Gehrke Windmill Garden

    Grand Coulee, Washington

    Gehrke Windmill Garden

    An eclectic collection of wind-powered sculptures made from found and recycled materials.

  • The park's pavilion.

    Seattle, Washington

    Bradner Gardens Park

    This multi-functional park is a marvel of civic engagement.

  • Drastic Park visible from the main road.

    Windsor, Connecticut

    Drastic Park

    A collection of mechanical beasts with some interesting names.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member