Family sits atop a green dinosaur sculpture
T-rex statue
Triceratops statue
Triceratops statue with child

Explore the Museum's Outdoor Dinosaur Trail

Nestled along one of the museum's nature trails, the Dinosaur Trail features six large-scale, 3D dinosaur models, including a Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Chasmosaurus, Nodosaurus, Appalachiosaurus, and an Eotrachodon with nest and newly hatched babies.

Along the way, learn a fascinating fact about each dinosaur, as well as its height, length, weight, diet, and time period.

The new trail officially opened on July 1, 2022, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring the memory of the project's benefactor, Gerard “Jerry” Case, a long-time friend of the museum. The museum and the Foundation are grateful for this gift and proud to recognize Mr. Case's achievements in the field of paleontology with this new Dinosaur Trail that will delight generations of museum visitors!

A Passion for Paleontology 

A veteran of the US Navy, Gerard “Jerry” Case was an artist, illustrator, and author who had a great passion for paleontology, resulting in an illustrious and prolific career in the field.

In all, Case named 180 fossil genera and species in well over one hundred publications, and at least a dozen species and one genus have been named in his honor.

In 1992, Case received the Paleontological Society’s Harrel L. Strimple Award, which is the highest honor for an avocational paleontologist.

In 2022, Pratt Institute, Case’s much-beloved alma mater, presented him with a Doctor of Liberal Arts (Honoris Causa) for his contributions to the arts and sciences.

Gerald Case
Gerard “Jerry” Ramon Case

More Information

Students Walking Museum Science
Visitor Information

The MDWFP Mississippi Museum of Natural Science is located in Jackson, Mississippi, tucked within historic LeFleur's Bluff State Park. On this page, find details relating to getting to and visiting the museum. 

MS Museum of Natural Science front entry
About the Museum

Meet over 200 living species in our 100,000-gallon aquarium network and explore 73,000 square feet of permanent and temporary exhibits at MDWFP's Mississippi Museum of Natural Science.

people on the Mississippi museum of natural science nature trails
Nature Trails

Experience 2.5 miles of trails offering you opportunities for nature walks, photography, and the study of living things in their environment.