Introduction
If you have ever driven along Interstate 10 between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, you have probably spotted two enormous creatures rising out of the desert. Those are the Cabazon Dinosaurs, and they are impossible to miss. You will likely gasp the first time you see them, because nothing quite prepares you for a 150 foot long dinosaur standing beside the freeway.
I still remember pulling off the highway just to snap a photo, thinking it would take five minutes. It turned into a full afternoon of exploring, and I left with more questions than I expected to have. This article answers them all. You will learn what the Cabazon Dinosaurs are, who built them, how tall they stand, what it costs to visit, and why they remain one of the most beloved roadside attractions in the country.
What Are The Cabazon Dinosaurs
The Cabazon Dinosaurs are two giant concrete and steel sculptures built as roadside advertising that grew into a full attraction. They started as a clever way to pull hungry drivers off the highway and into a nearby diner. Instead, they became something much bigger than anyone expected.
Today the Cabazon Dinosaurs draw travelers, families, and curious road trippers from all over the world. People stop just to take a photo. Others stay for hours exploring the gift shop, the dino dig, and the surrounding grounds. Whatever your reason, a stop at the Cabazon Dinosaurs rarely disappoints.
Where Are The Cabazon Dinosaurs Located
The Cabazon Dinosaurs sit in the small desert town of Cabazon, California, right off Interstate 10. The exact address is 50770 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, CA 92230. You will find them near Exit 106, and honestly you do not even need directions once you get close. The dinosaurs tower over the landscape and are visible from the freeway long before you reach the exit.
This location places the Cabazon Dinosaurs in a perfect spot for travelers moving between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley. Many people treat the stop as a fun break during a longer drive to Palm Springs, especially families with restless kids in the back seat.
Who Built The Cabazon Dinosaurs
An artist and sculptor named Claude Bell created the Cabazon Dinosaurs. Bell worked at Knott’s Berry Farm before he decided to build something entirely his own. He owned a small roadside diner called the Wheel Inn, and he wanted a way to attract more drivers off the highway.
His idea was bold. Instead of a simple sign, he decided to build a massive dinosaur beside his restaurant. Construction on the first dinosaur, Dinny, began in the 1960s and took more than a decade to finish, largely because Bell built much of it by hand and funded the work himself. Years later, he began work on a second dinosaur, Mr. Rex, which was not completed until the 1980s.
Bell passed away in 1988, but the dinosaurs he built survived him. The Wheel Inn eventually closed and was torn down, yet Dinny and Mr. Rex still stand exactly where he placed them. New owners have kept the site running, adding a gift shop, a dinosaur exhibit, and seasonal decorations while preserving the spirit of Bell’s original vision.
What Dinosaurs Are At Cabazon
Two dinosaurs anchor the entire attraction, and each one has its own personality and story.
Dinny the Dinosaur is a giant Apatosaurus, often still called a Brontosaurus by longtime visitors. Dinny is painted in bright, cheerful colors and has become one of the most photographed roadside sculptures in California. Her tail actually functions as a stairwell, leading visitors up into her belly, where a gift shop sells dinosaur toys, shirts, and souvenirs. Entry into Dinny is free.
Mr. Rex is the fierce looking Tyrannosaurus rex that stands nearby. Mr. Rex allows visitors to climb inside for a small fee, eventually reaching a spot near his mouth where you can look out at the desert through his teeth. This is the same spot made famous in a well known scene from a classic 1980s comedy film. Paid admission also grants access to a broader dinosaur exhibit with dozens of additional sculptures.
Beyond these two icons, the site now includes more than fifty additional dinosaur models scattered across an outdoor walking path, along with a dino dig sand pit and a gemstone panning sluice for kids.
How Tall Are The Cabazon Dinosaurs
Size is exactly why the Cabazon Dinosaurs became such a memorable landmark. Dinny measures roughly 150 feet long, making her one of the largest dinosaur sculptures ever built. Mr. Rex stands about 65 feet tall, towering high enough that you can spot him from a distance while still driving on the freeway.
These dimensions were not an accident. Claude Bell wanted something so large that drivers simply could not ignore it. That strategy worked better than he probably imagined, since the Cabazon Dinosaurs eventually became more famous than the restaurant they were built to promote.
Are The Cabazon Dinosaurs Open To Visitors
Yes, the Cabazon Dinosaurs welcome visitors every day of the week. You can view both dinosaurs from the outside completely free, which makes this a great quick stop even if you are short on time. If you want the full experience, though, paid admission unlocks a lot more.
Typical hours run from around 9 in the morning until 8 in the evening, though hours can shift slightly by season and day of the week. Weekends sometimes extend a bit later than weekdays. Since hours occasionally change around holidays, it is smart to check ahead if your visit falls on a special date.
Most visitors spend somewhere between thirty minutes and two hours on site. A quick photo stop takes almost no time, while families who explore the full dinosaur walk, gift shop, and dig pit often stay closer to an hour or two.
How Much Does It Cost To Visit The Cabazon Dinosaurs
Viewing Dinny and Mr. Rex from the parking lot costs nothing. You can also walk into Dinny’s belly and browse the gift shop free of charge, which makes this attraction budget friendly for families on a road trip.
If you want to enter Mr. Rex’s Dinosaur Adventure, admission is required. Recent pricing has run around 15 dollars for adults, 13 dollars for children, and 11 dollars for seniors and military visitors, though prices can shift over time. That fee covers access to the wider dinosaur exhibit, the fossil dig, and the climb up into Mr. Rex himself.
Because pricing changes periodically, it is worth checking the official Cabazon Dinosaurs website or calling ahead before your trip, especially if you are visiting during a busy travel season.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 50770 Seminole Drive, Cabazon, California 92230 |
| Nearest Highway | Interstate 10, Exit 106 |
| Built By | Artist Claude Bell |
| Dinny Completed | Mid 1970s |
| Mr. Rex Completed | Mid 1980s |
| Dinny Size | About 150 feet long |
| Mr. Rex Size | About 65 feet tall |
| Hours | Typically 9 am to 8 pm daily |
| Free Access | Outdoor viewing and Dinny’s gift shop |
| Paid Access | Mr. Rex Dinosaur Adventure exhibit |
| Nearby City | Palm Springs, about 25 minutes away |
Things To Do At Cabazon Dinosaurs
- Take photos with Dinny and Mr. Rex from the free outdoor viewing area
- Climb inside Mr. Rex and look out through his massive jaws
- Browse the gift shop tucked inside Dinny’s belly
- Walk the outdoor dinosaur trail featuring dozens of additional sculptures
- Let the kids dig for fossils in the sand pit
- Try gemstone panning at the sluice station
- Grab a dinosaur themed ice cream treat from the on site food truck
- Snap a selfie beneath the giant T-Rex head that kids can pose inside
Are The Cabazon Dinosaurs Worth Visiting
Yes, the Cabazon Dinosaurs are absolutely worth a stop, especially if you are already driving along Interstate 10. You get a free photo opportunity with two of the most recognizable roadside sculptures in the country, and the paid exhibit adds real value for families and dinosaur lovers.
The attraction works well as a quick fifteen minute break or a longer stop with kids in tow. Either way, you walk away with photos you will actually want to share, and a fun story about that time you climbed inside a dinosaur’s mouth in the middle of the desert.
Nearby Travel And Coachella Valley Context
The Cabazon Dinosaurs sit in a convenient spot for anyone exploring the Coachella Valley. Palm Springs is roughly twenty five minutes away, making the dinosaurs a natural stop on your way in or out of the desert resort city. Cabazon itself also hosts large outlet shopping centers and nearby casinos, so you can easily combine your dinosaur visit with shopping or dining.
Travelers heading toward Joshua Tree, Indio, or the greater Palm Springs area often build the Cabazon Dinosaurs into their route since it barely adds any extra driving time. The stop breaks up long desert highway stretches and gives kids a chance to stretch their legs before the final push into the valley.
Conclusion
The Cabazon Dinosaurs prove that a simple idea, built with enough determination, can turn into something unforgettable. What began as one man’s plan to attract diner customers grew into a beloved California landmark that families still visit generation after generation. Whether you stop for a five minute photo or spend a full afternoon exploring the grounds, the Cabazon Dinosaurs deliver a memorable break on any Southern California road trip.
Have you visited the Cabazon Dinosaurs before, or are you planning your first stop soon? Share this guide with a fellow road tripper who needs an excuse to pull off the highway and meet Dinny and Mr. Rex in person.
FAQs
What are the Cabazon Dinosaurs known for? They are known for being two giant roadside dinosaur sculptures, Dinny and Mr. Rex, located beside Interstate 10 in Cabazon, California.
How do I get Cabazon Dinosaurs tickets? Outdoor viewing is free. Tickets for the Mr. Rex Dinosaur Adventure exhibit can be purchased on site, and checking the official website beforehand is a good idea during busy seasons.
What are the Cabazon Dinosaurs hours? They are typically open daily from around 9 am to 8 pm, though hours can vary slightly by season.
Who is Dinny the Dinosaur? Dinny is the giant Apatosaurus sculpture at Cabazon, measuring about 150 feet long, with a gift shop built inside her belly.
Who is Mr. Rex at Cabazon? Mr. Rex is the 65 foot tall Tyrannosaurus rex sculpture that visitors can climb inside for a paid admission fee.
Is parking free at the Cabazon Dinosaurs? Yes, parking and outdoor viewing of both dinosaurs are free of charge.
How far are the Cabazon Dinosaurs from Palm Springs? The site sits roughly 25 minutes from Palm Springs, making it an easy detour along the way.
Can kids enjoy the Cabazon Dinosaurs? Yes, kids especially enjoy the dino dig, gemstone panning, climbing inside Mr. Rex, and posing inside the giant T-Rex head display.
Were the Cabazon Dinosaurs featured in any movies? Yes, they appeared in well known 1980s films and have been featured in music videos and commercials over the years.
Is one day enough to visit the Cabazon Dinosaurs? Yes, most visitors need only thirty minutes to two hours, making it easy to fit into a longer day trip.
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Author Name: Hamid Ali
Email: johanharwen314@gmail.com
About The Author: Hamid Ali is a travel writer who enjoys exploring quirky roadside attractions and hidden gems across the United States. He specializes in creating practical, easy to follow travel guides that help readers plan memorable trips without the guesswork.
