Dinosaurier-Park Münchehagen

About the museum

Fossilized dinosaur tracks were already described in the 19th century in the quarries of the Rehburger Berge near Münchehagen. In 1980 a site in the Wesling quarry received a first provisional protective hall; the area was later designated the natural monument "Saurierfährten Münchehagen" and recognized as a National Geotope in 2006. A large protective hall over the tracks, built with state funds, has been open to visitors since 1993.

In parallel, Ferdinand Wesling Sr. and Bernd Wolter founded an operating company, which opened the private dinosaur park in 1992. Since then it has grown into a large adventure park with a scientific approach: along a loop trail about 2.8 kilometers long there are now over 400 life-size reconstructions of dinosaurs and other extinct animals, arranged chronologically from the Paleozoic to the Cenozoic and designed in consultation with experts.

The core of the site remains the natural monument with several hundred footprints from the Early Cretaceous, around 139 million years old. Since 2004 the park has been digging in the neighboring quarry for further tracks. In a glass preparation workshop, specialists expose fossils, mainly bones of the dwarf sauropod Europasaurus. Hands-on stations in the Paleo Camp, a Stone Age area, and the exhibition "Giganten der Meere" (giants of the seas) at the Urmeerteich (primeval sea pond) complement the tour.

Highlights

• Over 400 life-size models on a 2.8 km loop trail through Earth's history
• Natural monument "Saurierfährten" with original dinosaur tracks
• Glass preparation workshop with Europasaurus finds
• Seismosaurus model about 45 meters long
• Paleo Camp with fossil hunting and hands-on excavations
• Exhibition "Giganten der Meere" at the Urmeerteich

Permanent exhibitions

• Rundweg durch die Erdgeschichte – Over 400 life-size models of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals show, over about 2.8 kilometers, the development of life from the Paleozoic to the Ice Age.
• Naturdenkmal Saurierfährten – In a protective hall, original dinosaur footprints from the Early Cretaceous can be seen, complemented by a recreated hunting scene based on the tracks found.
• Giganten der Meere – At the Urmeerteich, models such as the prehistoric shark Helicoprion and a mosasaur skull introduce the marine life of prehistoric times.

Founded

1992

Operated by

Dinosaurier-Park Münchehagen GmbH & Co. KG

Admission & discounts

Paid additional activities in the Paleo Camp, e.g., painting a dino €3, panning for gold €5, uncovering a skeleton €5, Rexi quiz €3. Dogs on a leash have free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All). The naturally grown park grounds can be challenging for wheelchair users in places; staff on site will help.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

In the Paleo Camp daily without registration: free sifting for semiprecious stones and shark teeth as well as paid activities such as splitting fossils, cracking geodes, panning for gold, uncovering a skeleton, Rexi quiz, and the card game "Dinopark-Expedition." Adventure playground next to the dining area; you may bring your own wagons. Children's birthday parties with packages for different age groups.

Getting there & parking

The B441 (Wunstorf–Stolzenau) runs directly through Münchehagen; from the direction of Hannover A2 exit Wunstorf-Luthe, from the west A2 exit Porta Westfalica and B482. From the "Abzweig Saurierpark" stop it is about 500 m on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

Fast-food restaurants with hot and cold dishes, coffee, and ice cream as well as a sun terrace by the pond; ice cream and drink vending machines in the park. Dino shop with over 1,000 items, fossils, and minerals. Numerous picnic areas where food you bring is allowed.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Plan your visit